EFFECT OF HEAVY-METAL ION CONCENTRATION AND PH VALUES ON THE SORPTIONBEHAVIOR OF PREPARED EXCHANGERS

Four new cation exchange resins have been prepared from some agricultu re wastes. The resins have a higher degree of polymerizeation and a hi gher number of exchange sites compared with the commercial resin like Wofait (exchange capacity of 1.9 meq./gm). Their capacity values range from 1.32-1.85 meq./gm. The effect of heavy meal ion concentration an d pH values on the sorption behaviour of resins using Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2, Zn2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+, have been studied. The rate of sorption, the eq uilibrium constant of these metals, and their kinetic behaviour as wel l as the break through capacity have also been studied. The study reve als that 60-98% of the applied heavy metals can be sorbed from solutio ns using these base and acid catalysed agricultural wastes.