Lead (Pb) Sorption Kinetics by Clay Minerals: Bentonite and Zeolite

Abstract

Background: Heavy metal pollution chiefly lead (Pb) causes various environmental disequilibrium and health hazards. Immobilization of lead (Pb) usingclay minerals is cost effective for metal remediation due to their higher surface area and negative charges. Methods: This study was taken up to assess the Pb removal potentials of bentonite and zeolite from contaminated water and to study the effect of sorbent dosage, initial Pb2+ concentrations and incubation time intervals on Pb adsorption and desorption was studied. Result: Zeolite was effective in immobilising Pb (78.0%) than bentonite (70.9%) which increased with increasing sorbent dosage and time intervals. The pseudo second-order kinetic model described the Pb adsorption precisely. Chemisorption was the dominant mechanism operating in aqueous solution system, hence, it could be concluded that zeolite can be utilized as an efficient sorbent for wastewater treatment.