The Sequestration of Heavy Metals Contaminating the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area using Natural Zeolite
For more than 120 years, gold mining formed the
backbone the South Africa-s economy. The consequence of mine
closure was observed in large-scale land degradation and widespread
pollution of surface water and groundwater. This paper investigates
the feasibility of using natural zeolite in removing heavy metals
contaminating the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area (WCA), a
water stream with high levels of heavy metals and radionuclide
pollution. Batch experiments were conducted to study the adsorption
behavior of natural zeolite with respect to Fe2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+.
The data was analysed using the Langmuir and Freudlich isotherms.
Langmuir was found to correlate the adsorption of Fe2+, Mn2+, Ni2+,
and Zn2+ better, with the adsorption capacity of 11.9 mg/g, 1.2 mg/g,
1.3 mg/g, and 14.7 mg/g, respectively. Two kinetic models namely,
pseudo-first order and pseudo second order were also tested to fit the
data. Pseudo-second order equation was found to be the best fit for
the adsorption of heavy metals by natural zeolite. Zeolite
functionalization with humic acid increased its uptake ability.
[1] H. Coetzee, F. Winde, and P.W. Wade, "An assessment of sources,
pathways, mechanisms and risks of current and potential future pollution
of water and sediments in gold-mining areas of the Wonderfonteinspruit
catchment," WRC Report No. 1214/1/06, 2006, pp. 3-12
[2] F.K. Allagaier, Environmental Effects of Mining,In: J.J. Marcus
(Editor), Mining Environmental HandbookÔÇöEffects of Mining on the
Environment and American Environmental Controls on Mining, Imperial
College Press, Singapore, 1997.
[3] E.M.R. Kuhn, "Microbiology of fly ash-acid mine drainage co-disposal
processes," Master thesis, University of the Western Cape, South Africa,
2005.
[4] L.M. Prescott, J.P. Harley, D.A. Klein, Microbiology, Fourth edition.
McGraw-Hill, New York, 1999.
[5] M.J. Zamzow, and J.E. Murphy, "Removal of metal cations from water
using zeolites," Separation Science and Technology, vol. 27, 1992,
pp.1969-1984.
[6] P.H. Jacobs, and U. Forstner, "Concept of subaqueous of contaminated
sediments with active barrier systems (ABS) using natural and modified
zeolites," Water Research, vol. 33, 1999, pp. 2083-2087.
[7] M. Vaca Mier, R. Lopez Callejas, R. Gehr, B.E. Jimemez Ciseros, and
P.J.J. Alvarez, "Heavy metal removal with Mexican clinoptilolite: multicomponent
ionic exchange," Water Research, vol. 35, no. 2, 2001, pp.
373-378.
[8] W.R. Lai, "The use of clinoptilolite as permeable reactive barrier
substrate for acid rock drainage," PhD. Thesis, Department of Civil
Engineering, The University of British Columbia, 2005.
[9] R.J. Vos, "Use of zeolite to treat acid rock drainage from Britannia
mine," Vancouver: Rock Drainage and Extraction Metallurgy Division
of Applied Biology, British Columbia Research Corporation, vol. 2, pp.
21-446.
[10] S.G. Benner, D.W. Blowes, and C.J. Ptacek, "A full-scale porous
reactive wall for prevention of acid mine drainage," Ground Water
Monitoring and Remediation, vol. 14, no. 4, 1997, pp. 99-107.
[11] K.R. Waybrant, D.W. Blowes, and C.J. Ptacek, "Selection of reactive
mixtures for the prevention of acid mine drainage using porous reactive
walls," In: The Proceedings of Sudbruy 95 Conference on Mining and
the Environment, vol. 3, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, 1995, pp. 945-953.
[12] J.S. Gilbert, P.M. O-Meara, J.G. Crock, T.R. Wildeman, and G.A.
Desborough, "Adsorption capabilities of selected clinoptilolite-rich
rocks as it relates to mine drainage remediation," US Department of the
Interior, US Geological Survey, Open-file Report, 1999, pp. 99-17.
[13] Ayta┼ƒ ┼×., Aky─▒l S., Eral M., "Adsorption and Thermodynamic Behavior
of Uranium on Natural Zeolite,"Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear
Chemistry, vol. 260(1), 2004, pp.119-125.
[14] J.R. Boles, E.M. Flanigen, A.J. Gude, R.L. Hay, F.A. Mumpton, and
R.C. Surdam, Mineralogy and geology of natural zeolites-short course
notes, Mineralogical Society of America, Washington D.C., 1977, vol. 4.
[15] G. Gottardi, and E. Galli, Natural Zeolites, Springer-Verlag, Berlin,
Germany, 1985.
[16] A. Dyer, An Introduction to Zeolite Molecular Sieves, John Wiley &
Sons, UK, 1988.
[17] J.B. Dixon, and S.B. Weed, Minerals in Soil Environments, Soil Science
Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 1989.
[18] M.J. Semmens, and M. Seyfarth, "The selectivity of clinoptilolite for
certain heavy metals," In: L.B. Sand, F.A. Mumpton (Eds.), Natural
Zeolites: Occurrence, Properties, Use. Pergamon Press Ltd, Oxford,
1978, pp. 517-526.
[19] G.E.A Yuan, "Adsorption of some heavy metals by natural zeolites: XPS
and batch studies," Journal of Environmental Science Health A., 1999,
vol. 34, pp. 625-648.
[20] K. Elaiopoulos, Th. Perraki, and E. Grigoropoulous, "Mineralogical
study and porosimetry measurements of zeolites from Scaloma area,
Thrace, Greece," Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2008, vol.
112, pp. 441-449.
[21] W.D. Nesse, Introduction to Optical Mineralogy, Second edition,
Oxford University Press, New York, 2004.
[22] D.Coombs, Recommended nomenclature for Zeolite Minerals: Report of
the subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical
Association, Commission on new Minerals and Mineral Names, vol. 3.5,
1997, pp.1571-1606
[23] W. Mozgawa, M. Sitarz, M. Rokita, "Spectroscopic studies of different
aluminosilicate structures," Journal of Molecular Structure, vol. 512,
1999, pp.251-257.
[24] T. Aman, A.A. Kazi, M.U. Sabri, and Q. Bano, "Potato peels as solid
waste for the removal of heavy metal copper(II) from waste
water/industrial effluent," Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, vol.
63, 2008, pp. 116- 121.
[25] S.M. Hasany, M.M. Saeed, and M. Ahmed, "Sorption and
thermodynamic behavior of zinc(II)-thiocyanate complexes onto
polyurethane foam from acidic solutions," Journal of Radioanalytical
and Nuclear Chemistry, vol. 252, 2002, pp. 477-478.
[26] E.Erdem, N. Karapinar, and R. Donat, "The removal of heavy metal
cations by natural zeolites," Journal of Colloid and Interface Science,
vol. 280, 2004, pp. 309-314.
[27] O.Nosa, "Adsorption for Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment,"
Enviromental Engineering Program, Tuskegee University, 2009.
[28] M.A. Jama and H. Y├╝cel, "Equilibrium studies of sodium-ammonium,
potassium- ammonium, and calcium-ammonium exchanges on
clinoptilolite zeolite," Journal of Separation Science and Technology,
vol. 24, 1990, pp.1393.
[1] H. Coetzee, F. Winde, and P.W. Wade, "An assessment of sources,
pathways, mechanisms and risks of current and potential future pollution
of water and sediments in gold-mining areas of the Wonderfonteinspruit
catchment," WRC Report No. 1214/1/06, 2006, pp. 3-12
[2] F.K. Allagaier, Environmental Effects of Mining,In: J.J. Marcus
(Editor), Mining Environmental HandbookÔÇöEffects of Mining on the
Environment and American Environmental Controls on Mining, Imperial
College Press, Singapore, 1997.
[3] E.M.R. Kuhn, "Microbiology of fly ash-acid mine drainage co-disposal
processes," Master thesis, University of the Western Cape, South Africa,
2005.
[4] L.M. Prescott, J.P. Harley, D.A. Klein, Microbiology, Fourth edition.
McGraw-Hill, New York, 1999.
[5] M.J. Zamzow, and J.E. Murphy, "Removal of metal cations from water
using zeolites," Separation Science and Technology, vol. 27, 1992,
pp.1969-1984.
[6] P.H. Jacobs, and U. Forstner, "Concept of subaqueous of contaminated
sediments with active barrier systems (ABS) using natural and modified
zeolites," Water Research, vol. 33, 1999, pp. 2083-2087.
[7] M. Vaca Mier, R. Lopez Callejas, R. Gehr, B.E. Jimemez Ciseros, and
P.J.J. Alvarez, "Heavy metal removal with Mexican clinoptilolite: multicomponent
ionic exchange," Water Research, vol. 35, no. 2, 2001, pp.
373-378.
[8] W.R. Lai, "The use of clinoptilolite as permeable reactive barrier
substrate for acid rock drainage," PhD. Thesis, Department of Civil
Engineering, The University of British Columbia, 2005.
[9] R.J. Vos, "Use of zeolite to treat acid rock drainage from Britannia
mine," Vancouver: Rock Drainage and Extraction Metallurgy Division
of Applied Biology, British Columbia Research Corporation, vol. 2, pp.
21-446.
[10] S.G. Benner, D.W. Blowes, and C.J. Ptacek, "A full-scale porous
reactive wall for prevention of acid mine drainage," Ground Water
Monitoring and Remediation, vol. 14, no. 4, 1997, pp. 99-107.
[11] K.R. Waybrant, D.W. Blowes, and C.J. Ptacek, "Selection of reactive
mixtures for the prevention of acid mine drainage using porous reactive
walls," In: The Proceedings of Sudbruy 95 Conference on Mining and
the Environment, vol. 3, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, 1995, pp. 945-953.
[12] J.S. Gilbert, P.M. O-Meara, J.G. Crock, T.R. Wildeman, and G.A.
Desborough, "Adsorption capabilities of selected clinoptilolite-rich
rocks as it relates to mine drainage remediation," US Department of the
Interior, US Geological Survey, Open-file Report, 1999, pp. 99-17.
[13] Ayta┼ƒ ┼×., Aky─▒l S., Eral M., "Adsorption and Thermodynamic Behavior
of Uranium on Natural Zeolite,"Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear
Chemistry, vol. 260(1), 2004, pp.119-125.
[14] J.R. Boles, E.M. Flanigen, A.J. Gude, R.L. Hay, F.A. Mumpton, and
R.C. Surdam, Mineralogy and geology of natural zeolites-short course
notes, Mineralogical Society of America, Washington D.C., 1977, vol. 4.
[15] G. Gottardi, and E. Galli, Natural Zeolites, Springer-Verlag, Berlin,
Germany, 1985.
[16] A. Dyer, An Introduction to Zeolite Molecular Sieves, John Wiley &
Sons, UK, 1988.
[17] J.B. Dixon, and S.B. Weed, Minerals in Soil Environments, Soil Science
Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 1989.
[18] M.J. Semmens, and M. Seyfarth, "The selectivity of clinoptilolite for
certain heavy metals," In: L.B. Sand, F.A. Mumpton (Eds.), Natural
Zeolites: Occurrence, Properties, Use. Pergamon Press Ltd, Oxford,
1978, pp. 517-526.
[19] G.E.A Yuan, "Adsorption of some heavy metals by natural zeolites: XPS
and batch studies," Journal of Environmental Science Health A., 1999,
vol. 34, pp. 625-648.
[20] K. Elaiopoulos, Th. Perraki, and E. Grigoropoulous, "Mineralogical
study and porosimetry measurements of zeolites from Scaloma area,
Thrace, Greece," Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2008, vol.
112, pp. 441-449.
[21] W.D. Nesse, Introduction to Optical Mineralogy, Second edition,
Oxford University Press, New York, 2004.
[22] D.Coombs, Recommended nomenclature for Zeolite Minerals: Report of
the subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical
Association, Commission on new Minerals and Mineral Names, vol. 3.5,
1997, pp.1571-1606
[23] W. Mozgawa, M. Sitarz, M. Rokita, "Spectroscopic studies of different
aluminosilicate structures," Journal of Molecular Structure, vol. 512,
1999, pp.251-257.
[24] T. Aman, A.A. Kazi, M.U. Sabri, and Q. Bano, "Potato peels as solid
waste for the removal of heavy metal copper(II) from waste
water/industrial effluent," Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, vol.
63, 2008, pp. 116- 121.
[25] S.M. Hasany, M.M. Saeed, and M. Ahmed, "Sorption and
thermodynamic behavior of zinc(II)-thiocyanate complexes onto
polyurethane foam from acidic solutions," Journal of Radioanalytical
and Nuclear Chemistry, vol. 252, 2002, pp. 477-478.
[26] E.Erdem, N. Karapinar, and R. Donat, "The removal of heavy metal
cations by natural zeolites," Journal of Colloid and Interface Science,
vol. 280, 2004, pp. 309-314.
[27] O.Nosa, "Adsorption for Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment,"
Enviromental Engineering Program, Tuskegee University, 2009.
[28] M.A. Jama and H. Y├╝cel, "Equilibrium studies of sodium-ammonium,
potassium- ammonium, and calcium-ammonium exchanges on
clinoptilolite zeolite," Journal of Separation Science and Technology,
vol. 24, 1990, pp.1393.
@article{"International Journal of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Sciences:49734", author = "P.P. Diale and S.S.L. Mkhize and E. Muzenda and J. Zimba", title = "The Sequestration of Heavy Metals Contaminating the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area using Natural Zeolite", abstract = "For more than 120 years, gold mining formed the
backbone the South Africa-s economy. The consequence of mine
closure was observed in large-scale land degradation and widespread
pollution of surface water and groundwater. This paper investigates
the feasibility of using natural zeolite in removing heavy metals
contaminating the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area (WCA), a
water stream with high levels of heavy metals and radionuclide
pollution. Batch experiments were conducted to study the adsorption
behavior of natural zeolite with respect to Fe2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+.
The data was analysed using the Langmuir and Freudlich isotherms.
Langmuir was found to correlate the adsorption of Fe2+, Mn2+, Ni2+,
and Zn2+ better, with the adsorption capacity of 11.9 mg/g, 1.2 mg/g,
1.3 mg/g, and 14.7 mg/g, respectively. Two kinetic models namely,
pseudo-first order and pseudo second order were also tested to fit the
data. Pseudo-second order equation was found to be the best fit for
the adsorption of heavy metals by natural zeolite. Zeolite
functionalization with humic acid increased its uptake ability.", keywords = "gold-mining, natural zeolites, water pollution, WestRand.", volume = "5", number = "2", pages = "107-7", }
