Saudi Arabian clays for lead removal in wastewater

Three types of local clays–Tabuk, Baha, and Khaiber–were tested for their abilities to adsorb lead ions from wastewater. The effect of pH on the adsorption of lead ions was also investigated. The clays were treated with hydrochloric acid to activate adsorption sites within clay particles. Untreated Tabuk clay had the largest adsorption capacity, about 30 mg lead/g clay, in comparison with those of Baha and Khaiber clays. The smallest adsorption was observed with Khaiber clay, about 10 mg lead/g clay; this may be attributed to the prior existence of lead within the clay. The adsorption of the acid-activated clays was not enhanced compared to those of untreated clays. The Langmuir model described the experimental data for all untreated clays, while the Freundlich model described the experimental data of untreated Khaiber clay and treated Baha clay. The local clays tested in this study, especially Tabuk clay, may be utilized as cost-effective and efficient adsorbent materials for removing heavy metals from wastewater in Saudi Arabia.