Abstract

Adsorption of chromium Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions by common abundant moroccan natural clay

Author(s): M.Ajbary, Y.Mourad, A.Kherbeche

The objective of the present study was to investigate the adsorption of the heavy metals Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions, onto on abundantMoroccan natural clay, (AMN). The adsorption experimentswere studied in batch reactor at room temperature. The adsorption equilibrium time for both ofCr(VI) andCr(III)was found to be 10min and 4h respectively. The influence of the pH solution on the Cr(VI) and Cr(III) adsorption was studied in the pH range of 2-7,he optimumpH for the Cr(VI) adsorption is 2,while that ofCr(III) is at the pHvalues above 4. Equilibriumisotherms for the adsorption ofCr(VI) and Cr, (III) onAMNwere analyzed by Freundlich, and Langmuir adsorption isotherms and they showed good fits to describe the adsorption equilibriumofCr(VI) andCr(III) on the natural clay, (AMN). The adsorption capacities for this natural clay, (AMN) for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were found to be 512 and 0.15 mg/g, respectively.