Investigating methods and effective parameters in the adsorption of mercury from aqueous solutions

A serious environmental threat from heavy metal ion pollution, especially mercury, has generated a great deal of attention in recent years. In this paper, we have evaluated the efforts which have been done for controlling the mercury emissions from aqueous solutions. According to the Indian Standard Institution, the tolerance limit for Hg (II) for discharge into inland surface water is 10µg/l and for drinking water is 1µg/l. Mercury (Hg) is one of the heavy metals of concern and has been found in the waste waters coming from manufacturing industry, oil refinery, materials rocessing and natural sources. Among several types of technology for removing of Hg in water (chemical precipitation, reverse osmosis, ion-exchange, etc.), adsorption is one of most frequently used. It is a complex process involving physical, chemical, and electrical interactions at sorbent surfaces.

Keywords:

Mercury , Removal , Adsorption , Aqueous solutions