Adsorption of As(III), As(V), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions by natural muscovite

Various parameters were tested for the application of natural muscovite (NM) in the removal of metals from aqueous solutions: contact time, pH, ionic strength, and initial metal concentrations. Kinetic studies showed that the pseudo-second-order model explains well the sorption process. The adsorption of metals was greatly influenced by solution pH but not by ionic strength. The results from isotherm studies agreed more with the Freundlich isotherm model than with the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorbed quantity of metals by NM was lower than that by the purified mica. These results suggested that the composition and surface characteristics of natural minerals may seriously influence applications for water purification.