Study of metal ion sorption from acidic solutions

Abstract

Acid mine drainage waters flowing out of the abandoned sulphide ore mine Smolnik in Slovakia represent a serious source of water and soils contamination. High concentrations of sulphate, iron, copper and other heavy metals are the result of pyrite oxidation connected with sulphuric acid production, which continuously dissolves rock minerals and produces a number of potentially toxic elements. The paper deals with the utilization of four types of natural and synthetic sorbents (produced mainly in Slovak Republic) for Fe, Cu, Al, Mn and Zn removal from acid mine drainage (shaft Pech, locality Smolnik, Slovakia). Prior to the kinetic study, the screening sorption experiment has been performed in order to determine optimum sorption pH. The turf brush sorbent Peatsorb has shown the satisfactory results for the removal of iron, copper, aluminium, zinc and manganese at pH below 4.