Adsorption of heavy metals and hardness ions from groundwater onto modified zeolite: Batch and column studies

Abstract

In most developing countries, groundwater pollution is an imminent danger as a result of increased anthropogenic activities, in addition to potential pollution. The removal of heavy metal ions and hardness is one of the major concerns about groundwater pollution. Meanwhile, the main objective of this study is to remove the excess heavy metals ions, and hardness from groundwater in a highly localized contaminated area using TiO2@Zeolites-4A nanocomposite. In this respect, Zeolite-4A and TiO2@Zeolites-4A nanocomposite was synthesized based on naturally occurring kaolin. The prepared compounds were characterized and investigated for the removal of metal ions and hardness. It was found that the optimum pH values for the recovery of Fe(III) and Mn(II) by zeolite composites are pH 6–8. The prepared materials exhibited decreasing in equilibrium time up to 15 min which is significantly important in the improvement of the overall efficiency of the treatment process. The maximum recovery efficiencies of Fe and Mn ions are 94% and 100% for the modified zeolites-4A nanoparticles and Mn recovery is higher than Fe for zeolites-4A and TiO2@Zeolites-4A nanoparticles. The obtained results indicating that the modified adsorbent showed high removal efficiency and accessible conditions in groundwater pollutions treatment.

Keywords

• Groundwater
• Synthetic zeolite
• TiO2@Zeolites-4A nanocomposite
• Metakaoline
• Zeolitization