Hydroxyapatite for removal of heavy metals from wastewater

HAP powder of a low crystallinity and rather large specific surface area was synthesized by an environmentally friendly, cost effective precipitation method, and characterized by XRD, FTIR, and BET isotherms. TEM and AFM are used to envisage the surface of HAP nano particles, showing a high porosity of this ceramic powder. It was used for the removal of metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) from mine wastewater. Metal contents in the initial and treated samples were quantified by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry. By the use of HAP, an efficient removal of all metals was ensured. The increase of [Ca.sup.2+] ions content in the treated water suggests an ion exchange mechanism. Keywords: hydroxyapatite, heavy metal removal, mine wastewater, sorption kinetics