Sorption of strontium by Mexican erionite

Abstract

The apparent diffusion coefficient of Sr2+ in natural Mexican erionite from Sonora at different pH and concentrations were determined. Neutron activation was applied to measure the sorption of strontium. The apparent diffusion coefficient values showed that the mobility of Sr2+ through the cavities of the erionite depended on the concentration of strontium and the pH of the solution. As a consequence the sorption of this ion by the erionite was affected by these parameters and the maximum sorption of Sr2+ was at pH higher than 3 and 0.0094 mol·l−1 strontium nitrate solution.