REMOVAL OF HEAVY METAL FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER BY APATITE MINERAL

Abstract

The study on removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution was studied in batch experiments using Apatite-a natural and abundant mineral in Vietnam. The effects of some factors on adsorption were investigated: initial pH, the contact time, the amount of absorbent and the initial concentrations. The sorption process fitted to Langmuir adsorption equation model. The adsorption capacity was found to follow the order: Pb²⁺>Cd²⁺>Cu²⁺>Zn²⁺ with values of 43.48; 18.3; 7.36; 5.49 mg/g respectively. The research demonstrated that natural Apatite mineral in Vietnam can effectively remove heavy metal ions from solution and it can be effectively applied in industrial wastewater treatment.