Pollution Research Paper

EVALUATION OF NATURAL ZEOLITE AS SORBENT MATERIALFOR THE REMOVAL OF LEAD FROM WASTE WATER

ABDAL-KAREEM M.A. DAWAGREH, MOHAMMAD HAILAT AND HUSSAM ALKHASAWNEH

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the possibility to use of natural Zeolite for the removal of leadfrom waste water. This was done by using batch sorption experiments, where zeolite placed indirect contact with the contaminant under study until equilibrium is reached. Effects of different parameters on the sorption process were examined, such as sorbent concentration, contact time andpH. Zeolite availability and low cost make it a good candidate among other sorbents. JordanianZeolitic tuffs are abundantly available and located at JabalAritayn, Tal-Al-shahba and Tal-Rimah. It was found that the uptake of lead ions increased as initial concentration of the Zeolite increase.Furthermore, an increase in the pH was found to enhance the removal of lead ions and the increasein the contact time of the adsorption process decrease residual lead concentration.