Ion Flotation of Copper(II) and Lead(II) from Environmental Water Samples

The present study aims to develop a simple, rapid and economic procedure for copper(II) and lead(II) removal under the optimum conditions investigated. It is based on the complex formation between Cu^2+ and Pb^2+ ions and diphenylcarbazone (HDPC) followed by flotation with oleic acid (HOL) surfactant. The different parameters (namely: solution pH, HDPC, HOL, copper and lead concentrations, ionic strength, temperature and the presence of foreign ions) influencing the flotation process were examined. Nearly, 100% of Cu^2+ and Pb^2+ ions were removed from aqueous solutions at pHs 6 and 7, respectively at room temperature (~25 °C). The procedure was successfully applied to recover almost copper(II) and lead(II) spiked to some natural water samples. Due to the rapid, simple and economic nature of the procedure, a flotation mechanism is suggested for metal removal in wastewater systems.