Method of heavy metal trapping and separating

The use is described of pearl cellulose and the derivatives thereof for heavy metal sorption and separation. At pH 3 to 8, an aqueous solution containing heavy metals of the transition and post-transition metals of the 4th to 7th periods, this to advantage U, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, is passed through a layer of pearl cellulose with sorption-active hydroxyl, phosphate, carboxy methyl, amine, acetamide, imidazole, guanidine or thiol groups. Metal separation proceeds at pH 1 to 9; at pH 0.1 to 1 cellulose regenerates. (B.S.)