Radiotracer technique in adsorption study .14. Efficient removal of mercury from aqueous solutions by hydrous zirconium oxide

Adsorption of Hg(II) ions on synthetic hydrous zirconium oxide has been investigated as a function of contact time, Hg(II) concentration (10(-3)-10(-8) M) and temperature (303-333 K). x-Ray diffraction studies indicated the amorphous nature of the synthesized oxide. The relative change of uptake, i.e. percentage adsorption increases from 80.3 to 98.3% with the increase in dilution (from 1.0 x 10(-3) to 1.0 x 10(-8) M). The kinetics of the process follows first order rate law and obeys the Freundlich isotherm over the entire range for the bulk concentration of Hg(II). The uptake of Hg(II) increases with the increase in temperature from 303 to 333 K. Pre-irradiation of adsorbent with neutrons (3.85 x 10(6) n/cm(2)/s) and gamma-radiations (ca 1.72 Gy/h) has practically no effect on the extent of adsorption of Hg(II).