Abstract

The lead(II) ions sorption from aqueous solutions on three types of peat from Poiana Stampei (Romania) was studied. The peat was drawing from different deeps, such as 5-10 cm deep (peat 1), 0.5-1.0 m deep (peat 2) and from > 1.5 m deep (peat 3). The influence of several experimental parameters (initial lead concentration, contact time) was studied in batch experiments. The kinetics of sorption was followed based on the amount of lead(II) ions retained at various time intervals. The results show that sorption (chemical bonding) might be rate-limiting elementary process in the sorption of lead(II) ions on peat. The experimental data were analyzed using two kinetics models: pseudo-first order Lagergren model and pseudo-second order Ho model. On the basis of these models, the kinetics parameters (the rate constant, the equilibrium sorption capacity and the initial sorption rate) for lead(II) ions sorption onto all three types of peat were calculated and discussed.