The sorption of lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions by grape stalk waste (a by-product of wine production) was investigated. The effects of the contact time, pH of the solution, ionic medium, initial metal concentration, other metal ions present and ligands were studied in batch experiments at 20 degrees C. Maximum sorption for both metals was found to occur at an initial pH of around 5.5. The equilibrium process was described well by the Langmuir isotherm model, with maximum grape stalk sorption capacities of 0.241 and 0.248 mmol g(-1) for Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively, at pH around 5.5. Kinetic studies showed good correlation coefficients for a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The presence of NaCl and NaClO(4) in the solution caused a reduction in Pb and Cd sorption, the latter being more strongly suppressed. The presence of other metals in the uptake process did not affect the removal of Pb, while the Cd uptake was much reduced. HCl or EDTA solutions were able to desorb lead from the grape stalks completely, while an approximately 65% desorption yield was obtained for cadmium. From the results obtained it seems that other mechanisms, such as surface complexation and electrostatic interactions, must be involved in the metal sorption in addition to ion exchange.

The performance of a microporous activated carbon prepared chemically from olive stones for removing Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from single and binary aqueous solutions was investigated via the batch technique. The activated carbon sample was characterized using N ₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and Boehm titration. The effect of initial pH and contact time were studied. Adsorption kinetic rates were found to be fast and kinetic experimental data fitted very well the pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorption isotherms fit the Redlich–Peterson model very well and maximum adsorption amounts of single metal ions solutions follow the trend Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Cu(II). The adsorption behavior of binary solution systems shows a relatively high affinity to Cu(II) at the activated carbon surface of the mixture with Cd(II) or Pb(II). An antagonistic competitive adsorption phenomenon was observed. Desorption experiments indicated that about 59.5% of Cu(II) and 23% of Cd(II) were desorbed using a diluted sulfuric acid solution.