In the present study, a metal oxide based material, derived from the enrichment process of quartz
coastal sand was used as adsorbent for the removal of chromium (III). Following additional
modification of the adsorbent, the effect of operational parameters including pH, contact time
and Cr (III) concentration were studied according to one-factor-at-a-time procedure. Obtained
results revealed that selected material exhibited higher adsorption efficacy in alkaline solution
(pH = 6-9). The maximum removal efficacy (>93%) was achieved after 180 minutes of contact
time, adsorbent dosage 5 g/L and initial chromium concentration 20 mg/L. The adsorption
isotherms were better described by the Freundlich equation (R2
= 0.934). Adsorption of trivalent
chromium ions onto selected material followed the pseudo second order model (R2
= 0.996).
Hence, the residual materials derived from the enrichment processes of quartz sand can be used
as alternative adsorbent for the removal of trivalent chromium ions from aqueous solutions.