No abstract

In the past decades, natural zeolites have found a important role in adsorption applications due to their local availability and low cost preparation. In this study, surface of natural zeolite sample was modified by using cationic surfactants in order to investigate its adsorption capacity to remove pesticides from wastewater. Data obtained from adsorption studies on organo-zeolites were compared with data obtained from those on activated carbon. To determine the adsorption process and properties, the effects of various operating parameters, pH of the solution (3-11), initial concentration of pesticides (5-20 mg Á L À1 ), contact time (10-350 min), and temperature (25-55 C) were investigated in a batch adsorption technique. According to results, the adsorbed amount of fenitrothion on three different adsorbents decreased whereas those of trifluralin on the adsorbents increased with increasing temperature. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were applied to experimental equilibrium data of pesticide adsorption depending on temperature. The data obtained from adsorption isotherms for organo-zeolites and activated carbon were well fitted to the Freundlich model at all temperatures.