Use of radiotracer in adsorption studies of copper on peat

Copper adsorption by peat was studied using 64Cu as tracer considering kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of the process. The study was carried out in agitated batch experiments with copper ion solutions with different initial concentrations at pH 4.5. Adsorption isotherms determined from equilibrium experiments by fitting experimental data to the Langmuir equation showed good correlations. Data obtained from kinetics experiments were fitted to a pseudo-second order model and also in this case a good correlation was obtained. Some parameters calculated from these studies such as rate constant or peat sorption capacity can be used in the development of a waste treatment process based on peat adsorption in batch or in column. The use of the 64Cu radiotracer is presented as a simple, rapid and efficient technique to assess the copper adsorption by the peat. (author)