Study of adsorption of cadmium on aluminosilicate sorbents

The research is aimed at developing the methods of reduction of the anthropogenic impact of cadmium on the hydrosphere of the mining region. To reduce the entry of cadmium into the hydrosphere, it is necessary to purify acidic mine waters and carry out the post-treatment of waste waters after lime treatment. For the post-treatment, the most practical is the method of sorption. Hollow glass microspheres, ceramic microspheres, metakaolin and microsilicon dioxide were studied as sorbents. Sorption isotherms are obtained and their mathematical description is made. The specific adsorption of cadmium varies from 0.58 to 0.12 mmol/g. The time to achieve sorption equilibrium in the sorbent-salt solution system is not less than 40 min. The most effective adsorption of cadmium is observed when using hollow glass microspheres. There is a potential use of hollow glass microspheres for the removal of cadmium from waste waters in the broad range of pH values.