Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions by Algerian bentonite

This study aimed the removal of heavy metals by Algerian bentonite. An Algerian natural clay, a bentonite of Mostaganem (N.W. Algeria), has been first acid-activated (HCl) and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy (SEM), and specific surface area. The acid-activated clay (AAC) was employed as adsorbent for the removal of Zn2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ ions from aqueous solutions using adsorption method. The sorption process was examined in terms of its equilibrium and kinetics. The study was carried out by varying shaking time, pH, concentration of metal ions and amount of adsorbent. The optimum parameters of our study obtained were pH values range (4-6), mass of AAC (1g), shaking time (1h), and initial concentration of metal ions (10mgL(-1)). The results have shown that Algerian bentonite clay had significant potential for removing Zn2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ ions from polluted water.