| Summary: |
In this study, removal of heavy metals in synthetic and wastewaters was studied by using natural zeolite, clinopti-lolite. The activated and non-activated zeolites used were crushed and grinded to sizes between 1.0-2.0 mm. Ion exchange studies were conducted as batch experiments for various mixing time, speed and different concentra-tions of Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+. Gördes and Bigadiç zeolites were used for Cd2+ and Ni2+ removal and their efficiencies were compared with that of natural zeolites from different areas. Although Cd2+ was not removed effectively by Bigadiç zeolite, in applying Gördes zeolite 46% removal efficiency was achieved for 90 min of contact time in batch tests. Column studies were performed for the removal of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ from a lead-zinc mining process raw wastewater. The clinoptilolite exhibited about 100%, 98%, and 96% removal efficiency for Pb2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+, respectively. The overall adsorption capacity for Bigadiç clinoptilolite was around 23 mg Pb2+/g, 24 mg Zn2+/g, and 0.6 mg Cd2+/g. |