Adsorption and Desorption of Cr(III) on Natural and Chemically Modified Slovak Zeolites

Natural and chemically modified zeolites from the Slovak Republic and Ukraine have been investigated as the adsorbents for the uptake of Cr(III). Model water solution of low radioactivity was used. The adsorption and desorption kinetics of chromium were established with the gradual radioexchange technique (tracer ⁵¹Cr) and flame AAS. The effect of the factors studied are examined and explained. The sorption coefficient , distribution coefficient K _D , sorption capacity , sorption rate S, and leachability of Cr were calculated in neutral, alkaline and acidic aqueous solutions. The sorption capacity of the modified zeolites was found to be greater by a factor of 2 to 16 than that of the unmodified ones depending on the modifying solution applied. The leachability of chromium from loaded zeolites into the neutral solution was negligible. The leachability into alkaline and acidic solutions increased over 40%.