Adsorption characteristics of copper, lead, zinc and cadmium ions by tourmaline

The adsorption characteristics of heavy metals: Cu(II), Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions on tourmaline were studied. Adsorption equilibrium was established. The adsorption isotherms of all the four metal ions followed well Langmuir equation. Tourmaline was found to remove heavy metal ions efficiently from aqueous solution with selectivity in the order of Pb(II)>Cu(II)>Cd(II)>Zn(II). The adsorption of metal ions by tourmaline increased with the initial concentration of metal ions increasing in the medium. Tourmaline could also increase pH value of metal solution. The maximum heavy metal ions adsorbed by tourmaline was found to be 78.86, 154.08, 67.25, and 66.67 mg/g for Cu(II), Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The temperature (25–55°C) had a small effect on the adsorption capacity of tourmaline. Competitive adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions was also studied. The adsorption capacity of tourmaline for single metal decreased in the order of Pb>Cu>Zn >Cd and inhibition dominance observed in two metal systems was Pb>Cu, Pb>Zn, Pb>Cd, Cu>Zn, Cu>Cd, and Cd>Zn.