Sorption of nitrate onto amine-crosslinked wheat straw: characteristics, column sorption and desorption properties

The nitrate removal process was evaluated using a fixed-bed column packed with amine-crosslinked wheat straw (AC-WS). Column sorption and desorption characteristics of nitrate were studied extensively. Solid-state (13)C NMR and zeta potential analysis validated the existence of crosslinked amine groups in AC-WS. Raman shift of the nitrate peaks suggested the electrostatic attraction between the adsorbed ions and positively charged amine sites. The column sorption capacity (q(ed)) of the AC-WS for nitrate was 87.27 mg g(-1) in comparison with the raw WS of 0.57 mg g(-1). Nitrate sorption in column was affected by bed height, influent nitrate concentration, flow rate and pH, and of all these, influent pH demonstrated an essential effect on the performance of the column. In addition, desorption and dynamic elution tests were repeated for several cycles, with high desorption rate and slight losses in its initial column sorption capacity.     

Modeling of kinetics of Cr(VI) sorption onto grape stalk waste in a stirred batch reactor

Recently, Cr(VI) removal by grape stalks has been postulated to follow two mechanisms, adsorption and reduction to trivalent chromium. Nevertheless, the rate at which both processes take place and the possible simultaneity of both processes has not been investigated. In this work, kinetics of Cr(VI) sorption onto grape stalk waste has been studied. Experiments were carried out at different temperatures but at a constant pH (3 ± 0.1) in a stirred batch reactor. Results showed that three steps take place in the process of Cr(VI) sorption onto grape stalk waste: Cr(VI) sorption, Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) and the adsorption of the formed Cr(III). Taking into account the evidences above mentioned, a model has been developed to predict Cr(VI) sorption on grape stalks on the basis of (i) irreversible reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) reaction, whose reaction rate is assumed to be proportional to the Cr(VI) concentration in solution and (ii) adsorption and desorption of Cr(VI) and formed Cr(III) assuming that all the processes follow Langmuir type kinetics. The proposed model fits successfully the kinetic data obtained at different temperatures and describes the kinetics profile of total, hexavalent and trivalent chromium.The proposed model would be helpful for researchers in the field of Cr(VI) biosorption to design and predict the performance of sorption processes.     

Bioremediation of Cr(VI) in contaminated soils

Ex situ treatment of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) contaminated soil using a bioreactor-biosorption system was evaluated as a novel remediation alternative. Leaching of Cr(VI) from the contaminated soil using various eluents showed that desorption was strongly affected by the solution pH. The leaching process was accelerated at alkaline conditions (pH 9). Though, desorption potential of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) was the maximum among various eluents tried, molasses (5 g/L) could also elute 72% of Cr(VI). Cr(VI) reduction studies were carried out under aerobic and facultative anaerobic conditions using the bacterial isolates from contaminated soil. Cr(VI) reduction was moderately higher in aerobic conditions than in facultative anaerobic conditions. The effect of various electron donors on Cr(VI) reduction was also investigated. Among five electron donors screened, peptone (10 g/L) showed maximum Cr(VI) reduction followed by molasses (10 g/L). The time required for complete Cr(VI) reduction was increased with increase in the initial Cr(VI) concentration. However, specific Cr(VI) reduction was increased with increase in initial Cr(VI) concentration. Sulfates and nitrates did not compete with Cr(VI) for accepting the electrons. A bioreactor was developed for the detoxification of Cr(VI). Above 80% of Cr(VI) reduction was achieved in the bioreactor with an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 50 mg/L at an HRT of 8 h. An adsorption column was developed using Ganoderm lucidum (a wood rooting fungus) as the adsorbent for the removal of trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) and excess electron donor from the effluent of the bioreactor. The specific Cr(III) adsorption capacity of G. lucidum in the column was 576 mg/g. The new biosystem seems to be a promising alternative for the ex situ bioremediation of Cr(VI) contaminated soils.     

Coconut coir as biosorbent for Cr(VI) removal from laboratory wastewater

A high cost-effective treatment of sulphochromic waste is proposed employing a raw coconut coir as biosorbent for Cr(VI) removal. The ideal pH and sorption kinetic, sorption capacities, and sorption sites were the studied biosorbent parameters. After testing five different isotherm models with standard solutions, Redlich-Peterson and Toth best fitted the experimental data, obtaining a theoretical Cr(VI) sorption capacity (SC) of 6.3 mg g(-1). Acid-base potentiometric titration indicated around of 73% of sorption sites were from phenolic compounds, probably lignin. Differences between sorption sites in the coconut coir before and after Cr adsorption identified from Fourier transform infrared spectra suggested a modification of sorption sites after sulphochromic waste treatment, indicating that the sorption mechanism involves organic matter oxidation and chromium uptake. For sulphocromic waste treatment, the SC was improved to 26.8+/-0.2 mg g(-1), and no adsorbed Cr(VI) was reduced, remaining only Cr(III) in the final solution. The adsorbed material was calcinated to obtain Cr(2)O(3,) with a reduction of more than 60% of the original mass.     

Pyridine appended L-methionine: a novel chelating resin for pH dependent Cr speciation with scanning electron microscopic evidence and monitoring of yeast mediated green bio-reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in environmental samples

Chemical speciation and pH dependent separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species in environmental samples have been achieved by solid phase extraction using a new chelating resin containing pyridine appended L-methionine. Cr(III) is completely sorbed on the resin at pH 8.0 and Cr(VI) at pH 2.0. Hence a pH dependent separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) is possible with a limit of detection of 1.6 μg mL(-1) and 0.6 μg mL(-1) respectively. The sorption capacity of the resin for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) is 2.8 mmol g(-1) and 1.3 mmol g(-1) respectively. The sorption of chromium on the resin is supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Complete desorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from 1g of Cr loaded resin was achieved using 10 mL of 2 mol L(-1) HNO(3) and 6 mL of 3 mol L(-1) HNO(3) respectively. Quantitative recoveries of Cr(III) (pH 8.0) and Cr(VI) (pH 2.0) were found to be 96.0% and 98.0% respectively. Reduction efficiency of Rhodotornula mucilaginosa yeast from Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was monitored with this new resin. Concentrations of metal ions were measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS).     

In situ stabilization of chromium(VI) in polluted soils using organic ligands: the role of galacturonic, glucuronic and alginic acids

Laboratory batch sorption and column experiments were performed to investigate the role of organic ligands such as galacturonic, glucuronic and alginic acids (main constituents of bacterial exopolymeric substances (EPS)) on Cr(VI) uptake and transport in heterogeneous subsurface media. Our batch sorption experiments demonstrate the addition of galacturonic, glucuronic and alginic acids to soils enhances Cr(VI) uptake by soil at pH values <7.7 depending on the concentration of the ligand and pH used. The enhanced Cr(VI) uptake at pH values <7.7 may be explained through either the catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by the surface-bound organic matter/Fe oxides and/or the dissolved metal ions (e.g., Fe(III)) from the soil. On the other hand, organic ligands have no or little effect on Cr(VI) uptake under highly alkaline pH conditions since the catalytic Cr(VI) reduction decreases with increasing pH. Similarly, the results from column experiments show that, depending on the concentration of organic ligands, the Cr(VI) breakthrough curves were significantly retarded relative to the organic acid-free systems at pH 7.6. A significant portion of Cr(VI) initially added to the feed solution was not readily recoverable in the effluent, indicating Cr(VI) reduction in columns, most probably catalyzed by surface-bound metal-oxides (e.g., Fe oxides) or dissolved metal ions such as Fe(II; III). The overall results suggest that EPS constituents such as glucuronic, galacturonic and alginic acids may play a significant role on Cr(VI) stabilization in subsurface systems under acidic to slightly alkaline pH conditions.     

Characteristics of diethylenetriamine-crosslinked cotton stalk/wheat stalk and their biosorption capacities for phosphate

Two polymeric biosorbents were prepared from cotton stalk (CS) and wheat straw (WS) by the epichlorohydrin-diethylenetriamine-trimethylamine method. Amine-crosslinked cotton stalk (AC-CS) and wheat stalk (AC-WS) were used for the adsorption of phosphate, and their physicochemical properties as well as biosorption properties for phosphate were discussed intensively. Results indicated that the contents of holocellulose in CS and WS corresponded to the distinct phosphate adsorption capacities between AC-CS and AC-WS. Zeta potential and Raman spectra analysis illustrated the electrostatic attraction between phosphate ions and biosorbents. The adsorption of phosphate was not strongly pH dependent when the pH was about 4.0-9.0. The Langmuir isotherm provided the better fit and the maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) was 51.54 mg/g for AC-CS and 60.61 mg/g for AC-WS. The saturated adsorption capacities of AC-CS and AC-WS in column were 49.05 and 41.9 mg/g, which accounted for about 80.3% and 81.4% of these biosorbents’ Q_max. NaCl and HCl solutions demonstrated the excellent regeneration capacities for the biosorbents, and after three times of adsorption-desorption cycles, the column adsorption capacities of these biosorbents were still higher than 92%.     

Sorption of Cr(VI) ions on two Lewatit-anion exchange resins and their quantitative determination using UV-visible spectrophotometer

The sorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions with macroporous resins which contain quarternary amine groups (Lewatit MP 64 and Lewatit MP 500) was studied at varying Cr(VI) concentration, adsorbent dose, pH, contact time and temperature. Batch shaking sorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of Lewatit MP 64 and Lewatit MP 500 anion exchange resins in the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The concentration of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution was determined by UV-visible spectrophotometer. The ion exchange process, which is dependent on pH, showed maximum removal of Cr(VI) in the pH range 3-7 for an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 1x10(-3) M. The optimum pH for Cr(VI) adsorption was found as 5.0 for Lewatit MP 64 and 6.0 for Lewatit MP 500. The maximum Cr(VI) adsorption at pH 5.0 is 0.40 and 0.41 mmol/g resin for Lewatit MP 64 and Lewatit MP 500 anion exchangers, respectively. The maximum chromium sorption occurred at approximately 60 min for Lewatit MP 64 and 75 min for Lewatit MP 500. The suitability of the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models was also investigated for each chromium-sorbent system. The uptake of Cr(VI) by the anion exchange resins was reversible and so it has good potential for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Both ion exchangers had high bonding constants but Lewatit MP 500 showed stronger binding. The rise in the temperature caused a slight decrease in the value of the equilibrium constant (K(c)) for the sorption of Cr(VI) ion.     

Column study of chromium(VI) adsorption from electroplating industry by coconut coir pith

The removal of Cr(VI) from electroplating wastewater by coir pith was investigated in a fixed-bed column. The experiments were conducted to study the effect of important parameters such as bed depth (40-60cm) and flow rate (10-30ml min(-1)). At 0.05 C(t)/C(0), the breakthrough volume increased as flow rate decreased or a bed depth increased due to an increase in empty bed contact time (EBCT). The bed depth service time model (BDST) fit well with the experimental data in the initial region of the breakthrough curve, while the simulation of the whole curve using non-linear regression analysis was effective using the Thomas model. The adsorption capacity estimated from the BDST model was reduced with increasing flow rate, which was 16.40mg cm(-3) or 137.91mg Cr(VI)g(-1) coir pith for the flow rates of 10ml min(-1) and 14.05mg cm(-3) or 118.20mg Cr(VI)g(-1) coir pith for the flow rates of 30ml min(-1). At the highest bed depth (60cm) and the lowest flow rate (10mlmin(-1)), the maximum adsorption reached 201.47mg Cr(VI)g(-1) adsorbent according to the Thomas model. The column was regenerated by eluting chromium using 2M HNO(3) after adsorption studies. The desorption of Cr(III) in each of three cycles was about 67-70%. The desorption of Cr(III) in each cycle did not reach 100% due to the fact that Cr(V) was present through the reduction of Cr(VI), and was still in coir pith, possibly bound to glucose in the cellulose part of coir pith. Therefore, the Cr(V) complex cannot be desorbed in solution. The evidence of Cr(V) signal was observed in coir pith, alpha-cellulose and holocellulose extracted from coir pith using electron spin resonance (ESR).     

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions using agricultural waste 'maize bran'

Novel biosorbent 'maize bran' has been successfully utilized for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The effect of different parameters such as contact time, sorbate concentration, pH of the medium and temperature were investigated and maximum uptake of Cr(VI) was 312.52 (mgg(-1)) at pH 2.0, initial Cr(VI) concentration of 200mgL(-1) and temperature of 40 degrees C. Effect of pH showed that maize bran was not only removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solution but also reducing toxic Cr(VI) into less toxic Cr(III). The sorption kinetics was tested with first order reversible, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order reaction and it was found that Cr(VI) uptake process followed the pseudo-second order rate expression. Mass transfer of Cr(VI) from bulk to the solid phase (maize bran) was studied at different temperatures. Different thermodynamic parameters, viz., DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees have also been evaluated and it has been found that the sorption was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The Langmuir and Freundlich equations for describing sorption equilibrium were applied and it was found that the process was well described by Langmuir isotherm. Desorption studies was also carried out and found that complete desorption of Cr(VI) took place at pH of 9.5.     

Characterization of Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions by a surplus agricultural waste--rice straw

The removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution by rice straw, a surplus agricultural byproduct was investigated. The optimal pH was 2.0 and Cr(VI) removal rate increased with decreased Cr(VI) concentration and with increased temperature. Decrease in straw particle size led to an increase in Cr(VI) removal. Equilibrium was achieved in about 48 h under standard conditions, and Cr(III), which appeared in the solution and remained stable thereafter, indicating that both reduction and adsorption played a part in the Cr(VI) removal. The increase of the solution pH suggested that protons were needed for the Cr(VI) removal. A relatively high level of NO(3)(-) notably restrained the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), while high level of SO(4)(2-) supported it. The promotion of the tartaric acid modified rice straw (TARS) and the slight inhibition of the esterified rice straw (ERS) on Cr(VI) removal indicated that carboxyl groups present on the biomass played an important role in chromium remediation even though were not fully responsible for it. Isotherm tests showed that equilibrium sorption data were better represented by Langmuir model and the sorption capacity of rice straw was found to be 3.15 mg/g.     

Characteristics and mechanisms of hexavalent chromium removal by biochar from sugar beet tailing

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions using biochar from sugar beet tailing (SBT) was investigated as a function of pH, contact time, and biochar mass via batch experiments. The surface characteristics of SBT biochar before and after Cr(VI) sorption was investigated with scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies showed that most of the Cr bound to SBT biochar was Cr(III). These results indicated that the electrostatic attraction of Cr(VI) to positively charged biochar surface, reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) ion, and complexation between Cr(III) ion and SBT's function groups were probably responsible for Cr(VI) removal by SBT biochar. An initial solution with a pH of 2.0 was most favorable for Cr(VI) removal. The sorption process can be described by the pseudo-second order equation and Langmuir isotherm. The maximum sorption capacity for Cr(VI) was 123 mg/g under an acidic medium, which was comparable to other low-cost sorbents.     

Investigation of the potential mobility of Pb, Cd and Cr(VI) from moderately contaminated farmland soil to groundwater in Northeast, China

The adsorption/desorption of Pb, Cd and Cr(VI) on moderately contaminated farmland soils in Northeast China and the effect of pH value on adsorption/desorption were investigated. Soil column leaching experiment was also carried out to further understand the mobility of the three metals in aeration zone of soil. Both Langmuir and Freundlich model gave good fits to the adsorption data of Pb and Cd, while the adsorption data of Cr(VI) followed linear adsorption isotherm. The adsorption/desorption of Pb, Cd and Cr(VI) obtained equilibrium in a few hours. Adsorption amounts of the three metals decreased in the order: Pb>Cd>Cr(VI). Desorption of the metals was insignificant at pH 5.0. Pb and Cd adsorption increased with pH, while Cr(VI) decreased. The effect of pH on desorption was contrary to that of adsorption. Leaching experiment showed that the mobility of these metals followed the order of Cr(VI)>Cd>Pb, which was consistent with the adsorption/desorption study. The results suggest that once soil is polluted by wastewater containing Pb and Cd, Pb and Cd tend to accumulating in topsoil and move downward very slowly, while the mobility of Cr(VI) in soil/groundwater system is much high because only limited amount of Cr(VI) were adsorbed by soil.     

Column study on Cr(VI)-reduction using the brown seaweed Ecklonia biomass

The potential use of the brown seaweed, Ecklonia, biomass as a bioreductant for reducing Cr(VI) was examined in a continuous packed-bed column. The effects of the operating parameters, such as influent Cr(VI) concentration, influent pH, biomass concentration, flow rate and temperature, on the Cr(VI) reduction were investigated. Increases in the influent Cr(VI) concentration and flow rate or a decrease in the biomass concentration inside the column led to a higher breakthrough of the Cr(VI) ions in the effluent. Particularly, the influent pH and temperature most significantly affected on the breakthrough curve of Cr(VI); a decrease in the influent pH or an increase in the temperature enhanced the Cr(VI) reduction in the column. For process application, a non-parametric model using neural network was used to predict the breakthrough curves of the column. Finally, the potential of the column packed with Ecklonia biomass for Cr(VI) detoxification was demonstrated.     

Extraction of heavy metal ions from leachate of cement-based stabilized waste using purpurin functionalized resin

A new chelating resin was synthesized by functionalization of a polymer support, Amberlite XAD-2 with purpurin through an azo linkage (NN). The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The optimum conditions for the extraction of Cd(II), Cr(III) and Pb(II) in two matrices; leachate from cement-based material and de-ionized water, were studied by batch and column methods. The determination of the metal ions was carried out by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum pH for the extraction of all metal ions in both matrices were at 4.0. Their sorption equilibrium was reached within 1h. The sorbed Cd(II) and Pb(II) were eluted by 1% HNO3 within 10 min with the desorption recovery of >90%. The elution of Cr(III) by 3% H2O2 in 0.1 M NaOH was achieved within 30 min with the desorption recovery of >80%. The sorption capacity of Cd(II), Cr(III) and Pb(II) onto the resin was 75.0, 68.2, 82.7 micromol g(-1) resin in DI water and 54.1, 46.5 and 55.7 micromol g(-1) resin in leachate, respectively. The extraction efficiency in the column method can be improved using the recirculation system. This new method gave a good accuracy in batch system with the recovery of 86.5 and 89.9% for Cd(II) and Pb(II) and R.S.D. less than 2.3% (n=14).     

Surface-modified Phanerochaete chrysosporium as a biosorbent for Cr(VI)-contaminated wastewater

To improve the removal efficiency of heavy metals from wastewater, the surface of a fungal biomass was modified to obtain a high-capacity biosorbent for Cr(VI) in wastewater. The effects of pH, initial concentration, and sorption time on Cr(VI) removal by polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified Phanerochaete chrysosporium were investigated. The biomass adsorption capacity was significantly dependent on the pH of the solution, and the optimum pH was approximately 3.0. The maximum removal for Cr(VI) was 344.8 mg/g as determined with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Pseudo-first-order Lagergren model is better than pseudo-second-order Lagergren model when simulating the kinetic experiment results. Furthermore, an amount of Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III), indicating that some reactions occurred on the surface of the biomass leading to the reduction of Cr(VI). The point of zero potential for the modified biomass increased from an initial pH of 3.0 to a much higher value of 10.8, indicating that the PEI-modified biomass is better than the pristine biomass for adsorption of anionic adsorbates. Results showed that the PEI-modified biosorbent presented high efficiency in treating Cr(VI)-contaminated wastewater.     

Adsorption characteristics and separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on hydrous titanium(IV) oxide

A hydrous titanium(IV) oxide was prepared to study the adsorption characteristics and the separation of chromium species. Batch sorption studies have been carried out to determine the effect of pH on the sorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on hydrous TiO2. An excellent separation efficiency of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was obtained at pH 2. The adsorption percentage of Cr(VI) was above 99%, whereas that of the Cr(III) was less than 1% at this pH. The adsorption isotherm of Cr(VI) on hydrous TiO2 at pH 2 was in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) on TiO2 was 5 mg g(-1). The rate of adsorption of Cr(VI) by hydrous TiO2 with average particle diameter 250 and 500 microm has been studied under particle diffusion controlled conditions. The diffusion coefficients of Cr(VI) for both hydrous TiO2 having average particle diameter of 250 and 500 microm was calculated at pH 2 as 3.84 x 10(-10) m2 s(-1) and 8.86 x 10(-10) m2 s(-1), respectively.     

Removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution using treated oil palm fibre

This study proposed an oil palm by-product as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] from aqueous solution. Adsorption of Cr (VI) by sulphuric acid and heat-treated oil palm fibre was conducted using batch tests. The influence of pH, contact time, initial chromium concentration and adsorbent dosage on the removal of Cr (VI) from the solutions was investigated. The optimum initial pH for maximum uptake of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution was found to be 1.5. The removal efficiency was found to correlate with the initial Cr (VI) concentration, adsorbent dosage as well as the contact time between Cr (VI) and the adsorbent. The adsorption kinetics tested with pseudo first order and pseudo second order models yielded high R(2) values from 0.9254 to 0.9870 and from 0.9936 to 0.9998, respectively. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant difference between the R(2) values of the two models at 99% confidence level. The Freundlich isotherm (R(2)=0.8778) described Cr (VI) adsorption slightly better than the Langmuir isotherm (R(2)=0.8715). Difficulty in desorption of Cr (VI) suggests the suitability of treated oil palm fibre as a single-use adsorbent for Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solution.     

Adsorption of chromium(VI) and Rhodamine B by surface modified tannery waste: kinetic, mechanistic and thermodynamic studies

In this study, various activation methods have been employed to examine the potential reuse of tannery residual biomass (TRB) obtained from vegetable tanning process for the removal of Cr(VI) and Rhodamine B (RB) from aqueous solution. The maximum BET surface area (10.42 m(2)/g), honey comb pore distribution and uptake of both Cr(VI) and RB were achieved when only 3-fold volume of HCl was used to activate the biomass. The pH and temperature experiment showed that they have considerable impact on the adsorption capacity of the used adsorbent. The presence of other ions (Na(+), Ca(2+) and NH(4)(+)) significantly reduces the metal uptake but marginal enhancement in the dye removal was observed when Na(+) and NH(4)(+) ions were present in the solution. The equilibrium data fitted satisfactorily with the Langmuir model and monolayer sorption capacity obtained as 177-217 and 213-250 mg/g for Cr(VI) and RB at 30-50°C, respectively. The sorption kinetics was found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The increase in adsorption capacity for both metal and dye with increase in temperature indicates that the uptake was endothermic in nature. The results indicate that the HCl modified TRB (A-TRB) could be employed as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of both Cr(VI) and RB from the aqueous solution including industrial wastewater.     

Utilization of bog iron ores as sorbents of heavy metals

Sorption properties of bog iron ores with respect to Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr are evaluated at various pH. Maximum sorption determined in the experiments equals to 97.0, 25.2, 25.5, 55.0mg/g for lead(II), copper(II), zinc(II), and chromium(III), respectively. Chromium(VI) is bound in the amount of up to 10.0mg/g. The values of desorption indicate that most of the metals remain stably bound to the surface of bog iron ores, indicating that the chemisorption process prevails. The metals are sorbed as cations at the pH values from 4 to 9. Within this pH range up to 100% of the initial metal amount is immobilized. 90-100% of Cr(VI) is sorbed at pH between 3 and 5. Such properties, combined with favorable conditions of shallow mining and resultant low costs, may be regarded as an incentive for local utilization of bog iron ores in the environmental protection practice.