Selective Adsorption of NH₄⁺ and Cu²⁺ on Korean Natural Zeolite in Their Dilute Solutions

Selective Adsorption of NH₄⁺ and Cu²⁺ on Korean Natural Zeolite in Their Dilute Solutions

For investigating the effectiveness of Korean natural zeolite for removal of $NH_4{^+}$ in waste waters containing $NH_4{^+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$, the adsorption of $NH_4{^+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ by three Korean natural zeolite samples, which contained mordenite and/or clinoptilolite, was measured by adding solutions containing $NH_4{^+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ or both at a concentration range from 1 to 7 mmol(+)/L of each cation. In the solutions, the zeolite samples adsorbed more amounts of $NH_4{^+}$ than $Cu^{2+}$. By seven successive equilibrations, Korean natural zeolites adsorbed $NH_4{^+}$ corresponding to 23~33% of those cation exchange capacity from the solution containing both $NH_4{^+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ at 3 mmol(+)/L of each cation. Whereas, the corresponding adsorption of $Cu^{2+}$ was 17-27% of the CEC. Korean natural zeolite exhibited selectivity for $NH_4{^+}$ but not for $Cu^{2+}$. Nevertheless, it using as a soil amendment after removing of $NH_4{^+}$ in waste waters should be carefully controlled on the application rate.