Effect of pH for Lead removal from Aqueous Solution applying Montmorillonite

Wastewaters containing heavy metals as contaminants originate from a large number of metal-related industries and mines. Heavy metals are toxic and nonbiodegradable, and their presence in streams and lakes leads to bioaccumulation in living organisms, causing health problems in animals, plants, and human beings [1]. To avoid water pollution, treatment, that is, the removal of heavy-metal ions from industrial wastewaters is needed before disposal. Several conventional techniques are used for removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions [2]. Compared with other conventional techniques, adsorption appears to be an attractive process in view of its efficiency and simplicity of operation in the treatment of wastewaters containing heavy metals, as well as the availability of a wide range of adsorbents [3]. Large-scale sorption processes for the treatment of wastewaters containing heavy metals demand inexpensive, nontoxic, and available sorbents with known kinetic parameters and sorption characteristics. Clay minerals are good adsorbents for metal ions from aqueous solutions owing to their high cation exchange capacities, high abundance and local availability, nontoxicity, chemical and mechanical stability, Brønsted and Lewis acidity, low costs, and ability to be recycled.In this study, the effect of pH on Lead elimination from Aqueous Solution using montmorillonite has been investigated (Fig.1). The montmorillonite clay before and after of Pb adsorption was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM).