Heavy metals removal using natural zeolite adsorption from Tigris river water at Samarra city (Iraq)

Abstract

Purpose. The current study was conducted to evaluate the heavy metals adsorption and sorption rate when removing them from water and processing it in the Tigris River in Samarra city, Salah El-deen, Iraq in 20212022 and evaluate the efficiency of zeolite for removing heavy metals, as well as to determine the high and low adsorption percentage from all heavy metals found in the river. Methodology. The study included the analysis and measurement of physical and chemical properties with low-cost natural processing with no side effects to reduce the heavy metal in the Tigris River. Finding. The results of the present study showed that the conductivity and turbidity of water decreased from 1596 to 727 c/cm, from 343 to 22 naphthalene unit (NTU), respectively, and turbidity decreased from 633 to 491 ml/L. The concentrations of biological dissolved oxygen, total suspended solid, and total dissolved solid increased, while those of preprocessing nitrates (12.2mg/l) differed significantly from the results of post processing (52 mg/l). Repetitive measurements showed good results for heavy metals such as Cr3+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ and Co2+ with 16.3, 23.1, 6.3, 14.4, 8.1, 12.5 and 17.4 mg/l, respectively; the adsorption percentage was 81.6, 81.5, 86.7, 87.3, 76.4, 89.5 and 79.7%, respectively. Originality. The work showed the efficient processing of sewage water when treated with zeolite rocks powder being low cost and easy to use to adsorb heavy metals from water. Practical value. Zeolite as a powder ground in different sizes could be used as a layer in the filter that purifies the water to become a drinking water with low heavy metal concentrations as well as with some other factors.