Editors: Prof. Ramasamy Subbaiya

Dr. Sivasubramanian Manikandan (2022)

ISBN: 978-93-94174-07-8

Libbohole, Adwell and Kalebaila Kabaso Kennedy*

Department of Chemistry, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Copperbelt University, Riverside, Jambo Drive, Kitwe, Zambia

Heavy metal pollution of water bodies is a common problem in Zambia whose economy depends on copper mining. Removal of Cu2+ ions from solution via adsorption using clay and iron oxide ore was investigated. These adsorbents were studied separately without combining them. Composition of the adsorbents was determined by XRF and ICP-OES where the clay had 59% SiO2, 19% Al2O3 and 1.2% Fe2O3, while iron oxide had 60 % Fe2O3 with less than 3% of SiO2 andAl2O3. Effects of concentration, pH, acid and thermal activation of the adsorbents on adsorption were investigated using AAS. Acid activated clay adsorbed up to 91 mg/L Cu2+ from 100 mg/L Cu2+ solution, whereas thermally activated clay adsorbed up to 80 mg/L Cu2+ from 100 mg/L Cu2+ solution. Adsorption of Cu2+ ions was pH dependent with an optimal of pH 7, acid activated clay adsorbed up to 95 mg/L Cu2+ from 100 mg/L Cu2+ solution. Kalulushi clay was found to be a better adsorbent as compared to iron oxide sand. Acid activated adsorbents had better adsorptivity as mineral dissolution increases the surface area and porosity of the adsorbent.

*Corresponding author; e-mail: kkalebai@gmail.com

Cite this Chapter: Libbohole, Adwell and Kalebaila Kabaso Kennedy. 2022. Pre-treatment Technologies through Adsorption Studies of Copper (II)) Ions from Aqueous Solution using Kalulushi Clay and Iron Oxide Adsorbents. In: R. Subbaiya and S. Manikandan (Eds.), Emerging Technologies and Advanced Techniques for Waste Treatment and Energy Production. Excellent Publishers, India. pp. 133-144. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/978-93-94174-07-8_9