Jordanian natural Zeolite use as sorbent for removal lead from aqueous solutions

In this work the potential of zeolites for lead ions adsorption from industrial aqueous solutions was studied. This was done by using batch sorption experiments, where zeolites made in direct contact with the contaminant under study until equilibrium is attained. Effects of different parameters on the sorption process were examined, such as sorbent concentration, contact time and PH. Lead ions uptake increases with increasing the initial concentration of the zeolites. The equilibrium data were well represented by Freundlich isotherm model. Also, an increase in the PH was found to enhance the removal of these ions. The volcanic Tuff which also called "zeolites" is a locally available material that can be utilized of the removal of contaminants, such as heavy metals, from wastewater streams. Its availability and cheapness make it a good candidate among other sorbents in the adsorption science. In Jordan, zeolites are found in the following locations: zeolitic tuffs are located at Jabal Aritayn (30km NE of Azraq), Tlul Al-shahba (20km E of Al safawi), Tal-Rimah (35km NE of Al Mafraq) and other small deposits in the South Jordan (Tell Burma, Tell Juhaira and Wadi El-Hisa) and in Central Jordan (Makawer, Al-Zara, Wadi Heidan and Wadi Al-Walah). Phillipsite, chabazite and faujasite are the most abundant zeolite minerals found in the Jordanian zeolitic tuff. The zeolite content in these tuffs varies from (20% to 50%). processing routes, zeolite concentrates with grades up to 90% were achieved. The objective of this work is to study the possibility of the use of zeolites for the removal of heavy metals from industrial aqueous solution. The uptake capacity of zeolites and the effect of different parameters on the adsorption process, such as the PH, and concentrations, will be considered.