Assessment of the use of tropical peats as local alternative materials for the adsorption of Pb, Zn and Cd: An equilibrium study

Peat is an organic material that has been widely used as efficient and low-cost adsorbent. As many studies tend to focus on temperate peats, there a lack of knowledge about the adsorption mechanism tropical peats. This paper investigates use two Brazilian peats (Cravinhos - C Luis Antônio LA) from Mogi-Guaçu river basin for lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), in order contribute local easy access materials remediate contaminated sites. The adsorbed high percentage cations, especially Pb cations (100.0-46.3%), with commercial peat showing higher than LA. removal was Pb2+ > Cd2+ ≥ Zn2+ batch data both all metals were better fit by Langmuir isotherm, capacities (qm) Pb, Zn, Cd 37.3134, 29.0674 21.2890 mmol kg-1 21.7391, 14.2550 3.6460 LA, respectively, values comparable those other biosorbents. studied are considered efficient, alternative adsorptive these metals. proximity peatlands areas potential contamination necessitates reduce remediation costs.