The technical feasibility of removing chromium(III) from contaminated tannery wastewater by adsorption on naturally available marl, referred to as HEWAR in Palestine, has been investigated by batch experiments. The effects of various parameters on the percentage relative adsorption concentration were carried out by UV-vis spectrophotometry. Percentage relative concentration curves showed an increase with time until approaching a plateau (adsorption capacity). The adsorption capacity increased with the marl-to-liquid ratio, providing complete removal of chromium above 0.003 g mL À 1 accomplished within 7 hours, while the marl particles were kept in suspension by stirring. The adsorption capacity increased with pH above 5.0, and decreased below this value. One sample of marl can be used for adsorbing chromium from various batches of wastewater until the adsorption sites are full.

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