Adsorption characteristics of metal ions by CO2-fixing Chlorella sp. HA-1

Single and binary metal systems were employed to investigate the removal characteristics of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ by Chlorella sp. HA-1 that were isolated from a CO₂ fixation process. Adsorption test of single metal systems showed that the maximum metal uptakes were 0.767 mmol Pb²⁺, 0.450 mmol Cd²⁺, 0.334 mmol Cu²⁺ and 0.389 mmol Zn²⁺ per gram of dry cell. In the binary metal systems, the metal ions on Chlorella sp. HA-1 were adsorbed selectively according to their adsorption characteristics. Pb²⁺ ions significantly inhibited the adsorption of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions, while Cu²⁺ ions decreased remarkably the metal uptake of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. The relative adsorption between Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions was reduced similarly by the presence of the other metal ions.     

Adsorption of Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions by layered double hydroxides intercalated with the chelating agents diethylenetriaminepentaacetate and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinate

The hydrotalcite-like compound [Zn₂Al(OH)₆]NO₃·nH₂O (ZnAl-NO₃) was intercalated with the chelating agents diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (dtpa) and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (dmsa) by anion-exchange to uptake Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ from aqueous solutions. The amounts of heavy metals adsorbed at variable contact times and metal concentration were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The amounts removed of the three metal cations by both adsorbents were high. The shape of the adsorption isotherms obtained indicated specific interactions and a high host–guest affinity. However, the metal ions were removed from solution not only by chelation, but also by precipitation or even by isomorphic substitution of Zn²⁺ by another metal ions in the brucite-like layer.     

ION EXCHANGE PROPERTIES OF THE SULFUR-MODIFIED BIOTITE

ABSTRACT

The ion exchange behavior of a sulfur-modified biotite towards Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions has been studied. The ion exchange isotherms of divalent cations were determined and concentration equilibrium constants as a function of metal loading were analyzed. Sulfur modified biotite exhibits high affinity for Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in individual solutions and in the presence of electrolytes. About 200 mg Hg/g uptake in 1·10^?3 M Hg²⁺ solution and ～ 35 mg Hg/g in groundwater simulant or an alkaline simulant 2 M in NaN0₃ + 1 M in NaOH was found. The possibility of a complex ion exchange and precipitation mechanism of the sulfur modified biotite towards the soft cations is proposed.     

Effect of light metal ions on the sorption of heavy metal ions on natural polymers

Dried ground formaldehyde-treated peanut skins, white ash bark, and So. Wisconsin red maple bark are efficient substrates for removal of many heavy metal ions from waste streams, but possible interference by common light metal cations has never been determined. The influence of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, or Na⁺ on the removal of the heavy metal ions Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ by the above substrates was studied in both batch and packed-column experiments. It was found that Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ were minimally affected by the presence of these light metal ions in solution, while the uptake of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ was significantly reduced. Calcium ion produced the greatest effect of the light metals tested.     

Interaction of metal ions with montmorillonite and vermiculite

The behaviour of montmorillonite and vermiculite toward adsorption of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ was compared. In general, the uptake of metal ions on both clay minerals decreased with decreasing of pH and in the presence of ligands forming stable complexes. Metal ion retention on montmorillonite was less affected by the competition of sodium ions at high ionic strengths with respect to vermiculite. On the other hand, the total capacity of vermiculite with respect to the investigated metal ions was found to be much higher than that of montmorillonite, whereas the order of affinity of the metal ions for the two clay minerals was similar, i.e.: Pb²⁺ = Cd²⁺ < Cu²⁺ < Zn²⁺ < Mn²⁺ < Ni²⁺ for montmorillonite and Pb²⁺ < Cu²⁺ < Cd²⁺ < Zn²⁺ < Ni²⁺ < Mn²⁺ for vermiculite.The similarities and differences between the two clay minerals were also investigated by principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis.The results of this study may be used to predict the uptake efficiency of these adsorbents in view of their application for the removal of metal ions from contaminated effluents. The choice of vermiculite or montmorillonite for the uptake of metal ions or other elements will depend on the composition of the effluent to be treated.     

Removal of heavy‐metal ions by magnetic beads containing triazole chelating groups

The aim of this study was to prepare magnetic beads that could be used for the removal of heavy‐metal ions from synthetic solutions. Magnetic poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate–1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole) [m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ)] beads were produced by suspension polymerization in the presence of a magnetite Fe₃O₄ nanopowder. The specific surface area of the m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads was 74.8 m²/g with a diameter range of 150–200 μm, and the swelling ratio was 84%. The average Fe₃O₄ content of the resulting m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads was 14.8%. The maximum binding capacities of the m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads from aquous solution were 284.3 mg/g for Hg²⁺, 193.8 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 151.5 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 128.1 mg/g for Cd²⁺, and 99.4 mg/g for Zn²⁺. The affinity order on a mass basis was Hg²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺> Zn²⁺. The binding capacities from synthetic waste water were 178.1 mg/g for Hg²⁺, 132.4 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 83.5 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 54.1 mg/g for Cd²⁺, and 32.4 mg/g for Zn²⁺. The magnetic beads could be regenerated (up to ca. 97%) by a treatment with 0.1M HNO₃. These features make m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads potential supports for heavy‐metal removal under a magnetic field. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Response of Two-Dimensional Polymeric Cadmium Ferrocenyl Disulfonates to Heavy Metal Ions

A sandwich-like 2D infinite framework of {[Cd(pbbm)₂(SO₃FcSO₃)]·(CH₃OH)₂·(H₂O)₆} _n (1) with nanosized porous structure [Fc(SO₃)₂Na₂ = ferrocene-1,1′-disulphonate, pbbm = 1,1′-(1,3-propylene)-bis-1H-benzimidazole] was prepared by combining d ¹⁰ Cd²⁺ ions with highly conjugated pbbm and disodium ferrocene-1,1′-disulfonate. Experimental results show that 1 could serve as a new fluorescent probe for the detection of many divalent metal ions in water, such as Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺, and trace organic solvents, including acetone, toluene, methylene chloride, ether, tetrahydrofuran, and methanol. The main product was very different from previous chemosensory materials that only identify one or two metal ions. The powdery multipurpose chemosensory materials proposed here could also sequester dangerous heavy metal ions, especially Pb²⁺. A computational study of ferrocene-1,1′-disulfonate and 1 gave insight into the process of ion exchange and sorption. This study introduces a promising new field of fluorescent chemosensors based on nanoporous coordination polymers with free functional groups.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new guar gum 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid resin and its use for the separation of heavy metal ions in industrial effluents

Hydroxybenzoic acid group has been incorporated onto guar gum by modified Porath's method of functionalization of polysaccharides. The newly synthesized guar gum 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (GHBA) resin was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, ion‐exchange capacity, column reusability, and physicochemical properties. The distribution coefficient (K_d) values and effect of pH on chelation of these metal ions using batch method were studied. The separations of mixture of Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ metal ions on GHBA resin on the basis of their distribution coefficient at various pH were also achieved using column chromatography. The effect of experimental parameters such as pH, treatment time, agitation speed, temperature, adsorbent dose, initial metal ion concentration, and flow rate on the removal of metal ions has been also studied. GHBA resin is effective adsorbents for the removal of different toxic metal ions from aqueous solutions and follows the order: Fe²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thermal and chemical stability of Cu–Zn–Cr-LDHs prepared by accelerated carbonation

Layered double hydroxides Cu_xZn_6 − xCr₂(OH)₁₆(CO₃)·4H₂O with different molar ratios of Cu/Zn/Cr were synthesized by accelerated carbonation. The products were characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR and TG-DTG-DSC-MS. The chemical stability was tested by the modified Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). The results showed that the products were the mixture of Cu_xZn_6 − xCr₂(OH)₁₆(CO₃)·4H₂O and (CuZn)₂(CO₃)(OH)₂, with similar thermal behavior. All products were chemically stable with reduced leaching at pH > 6 (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺) or > 5 (Cr³⁺).     

Binding of heavy metal ions by formaldehyde-polymerized peanut skins

Peanut skin, when treated with formaldehyde to polymerize tannins, is a highly efficient substrate for removal of many heavy metal ions from aqueous waste solutions. The ions Ag¹⁺, Cd²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, as well as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, were contacted with formaldehyde-treated peanut skin. Quantitative removal could be achieved with Ag¹⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺. Capacity of the substrate for ions was promising for Pb²⁺ (2.1 meq/g substrate), Cu²⁺ (3.0 meq/g), and Cd²⁺ (1.3 meq/g). Sorption from a solution containing Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, on a packed column of formaldehyde-treated peanut skin indicated that Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cu²⁺ were rapidly and completely bound to the packing, while Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ were poorly bound until the preferred ions had been removed from solution.     

Ligating behavior and metal uptake of N‐sulphonylpolyamine chelating resins anchored on polystyrene‐divinylbenzene beads

Amberlite XAD‐2 has been functionalized by coupling through –SO₂‐with ethylenediamine, propylenediamine, and diethylenetriamine to give the corresponding polyamine chelating resins I–III. The solid metallopolymer complexes of the synthesized chelating resins with Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ were synthesized. The polyamine derivatives and their metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectral (IR, UV/V, and ESR), and magnetic studies. The batch equilibrium method was utilized for using the chelating polyamines for the removal of Cu⁺², Zn⁺², Cd⁺², and Pb⁺² ions from aqueous solutions at different pH values and different shaking times at room temperature. The selective extraction of Cu⁺² from a mixture of the four metal ions and the metal capacities of the chelating resins were evaluated using atomic absorption spectroscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1839–1846, 2005     

Adsorption of Mercury(II), Lead(II), Cadmium(II) and Zinc(II) from Aqueous Solutions using Mercapto‐Modified Silica Particles

This article presents a novel systematic approach to the fabrication of highly functionalized, silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles used for the adsorption of heavy‐metal ions (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺). Almost monodispersed silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles with narrow particle size distributions of around 85 ± 5 nm were formed using the Stöber process. The prepared SiO₂ nanoparticles were successfully surface‐treated during a one‐step procedure by the covalent attachment of mercaptopropyl groups onto the surfaces of the SiO₂ nanoparticles. A FTIR spectra analysis confirmed that the binding of the mercaptosilane molecules onto the surface of the silica nanoparticles mediated the Si–O–Si and –SH vibrations. TEM/EDXS micrographs indicated the almost monodispersed and spherical morphology of the prepared product with strong signals of Si and S, thus implying that the coating procedure involving the mercapto groups onto the silica surface had been successfully accomplished. The final results for the heavy‐metal (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺) adsorption showed the strongest affinity within the following sequence Hg²⁺ (99.9%) > Pb²⁺ (55.9%) > Cd²⁺ (50.2%) > Zn²⁺ (4%). Adsorption equilibrium was achieved after 1 h for all the analyzed samples.     

Synthesis of magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2-(-NH2/-COOH) nanoparticles and their application for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater

In this work, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-(-NH₂/-COOH) nanoparticles were synthesized for the removal of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions from wastewater. The results of characterization showed that Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-(-NH₂/-COOH) was superparamagnetic with a core–shell structure. The surface of Fe3O4 was successfully coated with silica and modified with amino groups and carboxyl groups through the use of a silane coupling agent, polyacrylamide and polyacrylic acid. The dispersion of the particles was improved, and the surface area of the Fe3O4@SiO2-(-NH2/-COOH) nanoparticles was 67.8 m²/g. The capacity of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-(-NH₂/-COOH) to adsorb the three heavy metals was in the order Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺, and the optimal adsorption conditions were an adsorption dose of 0.8 g/L, a temperature of 30°C and concentrations of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ below 120, 80 and 20 mg/L, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacities for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were 166.67, 84.03 and 80.43 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm model adequately depicted the isotherm adsorption process. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption of the three metal ions was an endothermic process and that increasing the temperature was conducive to this adsorption.     

Competitive adsorption of Pb, Cu and Cd ions from aqueous solutions by multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The individual and competitive adsorption capacities of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ by nitric acid treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were studied. The maximum sorption capacities calculated by applying the Langmuir equation to single ion adsorption isotherms were 97.08 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 24.49 mg/g for Cu²⁺ and 10.86 mg/g for Cd²⁺ at an equilibrium concentration of 10 mg/l. The competitive adsorption studies showed that the affinity order of three metal ions adsorbed by CNTs is Pb²⁺>Cu²⁺>Cd²⁺. The Langmuir adsorption model can represent experimental data of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ well, but does not provide a good fit for Cd²⁺ adsorption data. The effects of solution pH, ionic strength and CNT dosage on the competitive adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions were investigated. The comparison of CNTs with other adsorbents suggests that CNTs have great potential applications in environmental protection regardless of their higher cost at present.     

Polyelectrolyte adsorption study on polyethersulfone membrane during polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the fouling produced due to the adsorption of poly(vinyl sulfonic acid) on polyethersulfone membrane during metal ion recovery by polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF). A solution of PVSA (40 mM in monomeric unit and pH 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0) was placed in a ultrafiltration cell, and then a stream of metal ions (2.0 mM in Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺) was passed from reservoir to cell. Fouled membranes were studied by EIS at low and intermediate frequencies. Measurements of hydrodynamic permeability and ATR-FTIR spectra were also obtained. Different relaxation processes were observed with characteristic frequencies (f ₀) ~ 78 kHz and f ₀ ~ 3562 kHz for active layer and clean membrane, respectively, while the frequencies for the fouled membrane f ₀ = ~79.4 and f ₀ = ~2511.9 kHz (pH 3.0). The value of f ₀ could not be defined at pH 6.0. The relaxation times obtained were in the order of ×10⁻⁵ and ×10⁻³ s approximately for all cases. Our results suggest that relaxation mechanisms, at intermediate frequencies, can mainly be associated to polarization processes or to the migration of charge carriers.     

Removal of metal ions using lignite in aqueous solution—Low cost biosorbents

Turkish lignite can be used as a new adsorption material for removing some toxic metals from aqueous solution. The adsorption of lignite (brown young coals) to remove copper (Cu²⁺), lead (Pb²⁺), and nickel (Ni²⁺) from aqueous solutions was studied as a function of pH, contact time, metal concentration and temperature. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved between 40 and 70 min for all studied cations except Pb²⁺, which is between 10 and 30 min. The adsorption capacities are 17.8 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 56.7 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 13.0 mg/g for Ni²⁺ for BC₁ (Ilg?n lignite) and 18.9 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 68.5 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 12.0 mg/g for Ni²⁺ for BC₂ (Beysehir lignite) and 7.2 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 62.3 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 5.4 mg/g for Ni²⁺ for AC (activated carbon). More than 67% of studied cations were removed by BC₁ and 60% BC₂, respectively from aqueous solution in single step. Whereas about 30% of studied cations except Pb²⁺, which is 90%, were removed by activated carbon. Effective removal of metal ions was demonstrated at pH values of 3.8–5.5. The adsorption isotherms were measured at 20 °C, using adsorptive solutions at the optimum pH value to determine the adsorption capacity. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to describe observed sorption phenomena. The rise in temperature caused a slight decrease in the value of the equilibrium constant (K_c) for the sorption of metal ions. The mechanism for cations removal by the lignite includes ion exchange, complexation and sorption. The process is very efficient especially in the case of low concentrations of pollutants in aqueous solution, where common methods are either economically unfavorable or technically complicated.     

Treatment of industrial wastewater using zeolitite and sepiolite,natural microporous materials

This work investigates the ability of natural microporous materials, such as a zeolite-rich tuff (zeolitite) and a modulated phyllosilicate (sepiolite), to remove heavy-metal ions from simulated inorganic polluted industrial wastewater. Fixed beds of sepiolite and zeolitite were percolated by a solution of Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ (concentration of each cation, 2 ? 10^?3 N; total concentration, 10^?2 N) and were regenerated with a 2 ? 10^?3 N Na⁺ solution. The order of decreasing affinity was, for sepiolite: Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺ ? Co²⁺, and, for zeolitite: Pb²⁺ “Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Co²⁺. After regeneration with Na⁺ solution, a fraction of the retained heavy metals was quickly released by the beds as follows: sepiolite, Co²⁺ ? Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺; zeolitite, Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺ ? Zn²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Pb²⁺. XRD and DTA-TGA analyses examined structural changes in the natural and final materials.     

Cation Transport at 25°C from Binary Cd2+–Mn+ Mixtures in a H2O-CHCl3–H2O Liquid Membrane System Containing a Series of Macrocyclic Carriers[1]

Macrocycle-mediated fluxes of Cd(NO₃)₂ and of several binary mixtures of Cd(NO₃)₂ with the nitrate salt of either Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ Cs⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, or Cu²⁺ have been determined in a H₂O-CHCl₃–H₂O liquid membrane system. Of the macrocycles studied, 2.2 and 2.2DD most successfully transported Cd²⁺ In the Cd²⁺–Mⁿ⁺ mixtures, Cd²⁺ was transported selectively with 2.2 when Mⁿ⁺ was either an alkali or an alkaline earth cation. However, when Mⁿ⁺ was either Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, or Cu²⁺ the Cd²⁺ flux was reduced sharply. Generally, cation flux was greater for 2.2DD than for 2.2 with selectivity for Cd²⁺ being altered also in several cases. Relative fluxes from binary cation mixtures depend on metal cation radius, macrocycle cavity diameter, ligand ring substituent and log K for metal ion-macrocycle interaction.     

Reversible collapse and Mg release of de- and rehydroxylated homoionic cis-vacant montmorillonites

Homoionic Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Li⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ samples of the <2 μm fraction of a cis-vacant montmorillonite from Linden (Bavaria) were steam treated at 200°C (≈1.5 MPa), 240°C (≈3.3 MPa) and 300°C (≈8.0 MPa) after dehydroxylation at temperatures up to 630°C. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements, determination of exchangeable cations and X-ray diffraction (XRD), supplemented by thermoanalytical investigations of the evolved water in a thermobalance linked to a mass spectrometer, infrared (IR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy were employed to obtain information about the state of expandability and structural changes of swellable montmorillonite and the sites of interlayer and octahedral cations after heating and rehydroxylation.The XRD pattern of the initial samples showed a well-defined (001) reflection according to the interlayer cation and its hydration state under laboratory atmosphere. After dehydroxylation the pattern exhibited (001) reflections between 9.6 and 9.8 Å, corresponding to a collapsed structure for all samples. The Na⁺-, Ca²⁺- and Sr²⁺-rich montmorillonites regained partial expandability after rehydroxylation at 200°C and full expandability after rehydroxylation at 300°C if the dehydroxylation temperature was less than 630°C. Rehydroxylation at 300°C of the Cu²⁺- and Zn²⁺-rich montmorillonites did not cause reexpansion, whereas the Li⁺-rich samples recovered a partial swellability after rehydroxylation at 240°C and nearly the full swellability after rehydroxylation at 300°C.The Li⁺-, Cu²⁺- and Zn²⁺-rich samples underwent a strong CEC reduction due to migration of the interlayer cations into the 2:1 layer before dehydroxylation started. After rehydroxylation under water steam Cu²⁺- and Zn²⁺-rich samples released 16–30 meq/100 g of Mg²⁺ from the structure, increasing with the steam temperature. Mg²⁺ release was not observed for the Li⁺-rich montmorillonite.     

Competitive Metal Ion Binding to a Silicate-Immobilized Datura innoxia Biomaterial

Abstract

Metal ion binding with a flowing system to a biosorbent comprised of cultured cell-wall fragment within a polysilicate matrix has been investigated. Solutions containing 0.10 mM Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ were exposed to the material in combinations of two, three, and five metals while simultaneously monitoring the concentration of all metals in the effluent stream. A relative affinity order of Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ >> Zn²⁺ ≈ Cd²⁺ > Ni²⁺ was determined when all five metal ions were exposed to the material. Lower-affinity metal ions were exposed to the material sequentially. Both metal-specific and common binding sites were observed for each metal ion. The presence of both binding sites that are common to all metal ions investigated and sites that appear to be unique for each metal ion could significantly impact the utility of single-metal ion studies on the application of such biosorbents for the selective removal of metal ions from natural water.