HEAVY-METAL UPTAKE BY A HIGH CATION-EXCHANGE-CAPACITY MONTMORILLONITE: THE ROLE OF PERMANENT CHARGE SITES

A High Cation Exchange Capacity (HCM) montmorillonite clay has been prepared by acetate treatment of Zenith clay. The HCM has been evaluated for metal-uptake from aqueous solutions. The present data show that the cation exchange sites can play a significant role in the adsorption of metals in smectite clays. A theoretical analysis scheme has been developed which shows that permanent-charge sites can become dominant in metal-uptake by clays. In addition, it was shown that the permanent charge can influence the ionic-strength sensitivity of the Point of Zero Charge of the clay.