Metal Accumulation In Sediments Of The Exclusive Economic Zone Of Qatar,Persian Gulf

The EEZ of Qatar is subjected to different landbased sources and marine activities. Twenty-three sediment samples were collected from the EEZ of Qatar, Persian Gulf and analyzed to determine the effect of increasing man-made activities on the structure and chemical composition of seabed. Grain size analysis support the predominance of sand sized sediments with patches of sandy silt at the northeastern and southeastern areas. Coarse grained sand was characterized by elevated carbonate content reaching >95%. Off the capital Doha and opposite to industrial parks, the organic matter reached >7.4%. Cu (0.8-30.3 r w g/g), Pb (2.2-22.6 r w g/g), Co (2.4-9.1 r w g/g) and Mn (36.8-746 r w g/g) levels were high compared to other Gulf values. Stations were clustered on the basis of sediment texture rather than metal accumulation. The high organic content of northeastern sediments, derived from planktonic origin is coupled by low metals concentrations. Except for Cr, Cu and Fe, the non-residual fraction of metals contributed between 56 and 92% of the total metals concentrations. Stations sampled closer to potential metal sources are characterized by increased non-residual fractions. Negligible or very low amount (<5%) of the non-residual fraction of metals appeared in the exchangeable phase. Metals are mostly associated with the easily and moderately reducible fraction (23% Fe, 17% Cr, 24% Co, 34% Mn, 14% Ni and 18% Cu) due to strong scavenging capabilities of Fe-Mn oxides. Pb is partitioned equally among easily/moderately reducible and carbonate fractions, dominating in the latter. Co (38%) and Ni (35%) are mostly associated with organic matter/sulphide phase, while Zn (27-29%) is equally partitioned between easily/moderately reducible, carbonate and organic matter phases. Cr (73%), Cu (62%) and Fe (58%) appeared mainly in the residual form. The concentrations of bioavailable metal fractions (exchangeable and easily/moderately reducible) do not put at risk the economically important living resources.     

Solid state partitioning of trace metals in suspended particulate matter from a river system affected by smelting-waste drainage

The partitioning of particulate trace metals was investigated during one year of monthly sampling of suspended particulate matter (SPM) at eight sites along the Lot-Garonne fluvial system, known for its polymetallic pollution. The chemical partitioning in five operationally defined fractions (exchangeable/carbonate, Fe/Mn oxides, organic matter/sulfides, acid soluble, residual) was determined using a multiple single extraction approach. This approach showed that Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu were mainly associated with acid soluble phases (84-95%, 65-88%, 61-82% and 55-80% of the respective total metal content), and therefore showed a high mean potential of mobilization and bioavailability. In the Riou-Mort River, draining the smelting-wastes, Zn, Cd and Mn showed high mobility as they were little associated with the residual fraction (1-2%) and mainly bound to the 'exchangeable' fraction of SPM (60-80%), probably weakly adsorbed on amorphous freshly-precipitated sulfide and/or oxide phases. Upstream and downstream of the anthropogenic source of metallic pollution, Mn and Cd, and Zn to a lesser extent, remained highly reactive. The other trace metals were mainly associated with the residual fraction and thus less mobile. However, the multiple single extraction scheme revealed that the most reactive transport phases were non-selectively extracted by the conventional extractants used here. These selectivity problems could not have been observed if sequential extraction was used.     

A类泡沫灭火剂的水生生物毒性试验研究

A类泡沫灭火剂的灭火效能已经得到了广泛认可,然而随着环保意识的日益提高,A类泡沫灭火剂使用后对环境的潜在影响引发了关注.评估国内A类泡沫灭火剂浓缩液和溶液的鱼急性毒性,通过实验室研究,确定了12种A类泡沫灭火剂的急性毒性.选择斑马鱼(短马鱼)作为测试生物,计算并报告了半数致死浓度(LC50).研究对比了国内外A类泡沫灭...     

Is there a risk associated with the insect repellent DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) commonly found in aquatic environments?

DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is the active ingredient of most commercial insect repellents. This compound has commonly been detected in aquatic water samples from around the world indicating that DEET is both mobile and persistent, despite earlier assumptions that DEET was unlikely to enter aquatic ecosystems. DEET's registration category does not require an ecological risk assessment, thus information on the ecological toxicity of DEET is sparse. This paper reviews the presence of DEET in aqueous samples from around the world (e.g. drinking water, streams, open seawater, groundwater and treated effluent) with reported DEET concentrations ranging from 40-3000 ng L(-1). In addition, new DEET data collected from 36 sites in coastal waterways from eastern Australia (detections ranging from 8 to 1500 ng L(-1)) are examined. A summary of new and existing toxicity data are discussed with an emphasis on preparing a preliminary risk assessment for DEET in the aquatic environment. Collated information on DEET in the aquatic environment suggests risk to aquatic biota at observed environmental concentrations is minimal. However, the information available was not sufficient to conduct a full risk assessment due to data deficiencies in source characterisation, transport mechanisms, fate, and ecotoxicity studies. These risks warrant further investigation due to the high frequency that this organic contaminant is detected in aquatic environments around the world.     

Sequential extraction of sulfide-rich tailings remediated by the application of till cover,Kristineberg mine,northern Sweden

A sequential extraction has been carried out on sulfide-rich mine tailings. The purpose was to investigate how elements released by oxidation are secondarily retained in the tailings and the possible consequences of the remediation. After investigating the solid tailings, seven samples were chosen for sequential extractions. Two samples were oxidised, situated just above the oxidation front; two samples from just below the former oxidation front with increased concentrations of several elements; two unoxidised samples were from an intermediate depth, and the deepest sample was from the tailings-peat boundary at the bottom of the impoundment. Five phases were extracted: adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate; labile organics; amorphous Fe-oxyhydroxides/Mn-oxides; crystalline Fe-oxides; and organics/sulfides. The addition from dried porewater to the extracted fractions has been calculated and considered as minor. In the oxidised tailings, the sulfide fraction still dominates for elements such as Fe, S, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg and Zn, although the concentrations are low compared to the unoxidised tailings. Generally, the second most important fraction is the adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate fraction. Below the oxidation front, the sulfide content of the tailings sharply increases. In the secondary enrichment zone, the total element concentrations increase compared with the deeper unoxidised samples, mainly due to secondary retention. For some elements, secondary retention is greater than the total amount extracted for the deeper unoxidised samples. In the secondary enrichment zone the adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate fraction represents approximately 20 wt.% or more for Cd, Co, Mn, Ni and Zn. The amorphous iron oxyhydroxide or the crystalline iron oxide fractions are less important at this level, although for As, Ba and Cu the amorphous iron oxyhydroxide fraction represents up to 20 wt.%. At the lower border of the enrichment zone, the total concentration for most metals is lower, but the importance of the adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate fraction is further enhanced for Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn. These elements have 35-60 wt.% of the total amount from this fraction. For As, Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb, the secondary fractions extracted (extractions A-D) represent between 60 and 80 wt.% of the total content. At greater depth in the impoundment the relative importance of the adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate fraction decreases, whilst the importance of amorphous iron oxyhydroxide and crystalline iron oxide fractions increases. The adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate fraction is the most easily remobilised fraction. A raised groundwater table previously situated below the enrichment zone may result in the release of secondarily retained metals.     

Colloid and heavy metal transport at landfill sites in direct contact with groundwater

Colloids are ubiquitous in aquatic systems and are suspected of facilitating contaminant transport. At sites where the disposed waste is in direct contact with ground water, two main prerequisites for colloidal transport are fulfilled: these two prerequisites are a high concentration of colloids and many different contaminants, some that are very unlikely to be transported in an aqueous solution. In our investigation, three landfill sites with different historical background and hydrogeological conditions were examined. The colloids upstream, downstream, and inside the waste disposal sites were characterized with respect to their size distribution and chemical composition. The particle concentration upgradient and downgradient of the sites were 2-23 and 8-80 mg/L, respectively. Inside the waste disposal sites the particle concentration was 160-870 mg/L. The particles upgradient reflected the mineral composition of the aquifer, with calcareous colloids and silicates dominating the composition. Downgradient of the sites, we saw an increase of iron-precipitates and salt colloids, together with organic colloids. However, the downgradient colloids were significantly different from the colloids and particles inside of the disposal sites with respect to their size and chemical composition. Colloids inside the disposal sites reflected the waste composition and degradation. The association of heavy metal ions to colloids and particles showed a surprisingly high fraction of dissolved metal ions. We determined that the lowest metal ion concentrations (less than 20% of the total concentration) were associated with the colloid size class between 10 nm and 1 microm, which is considered most mobile in porous systems. The association of Fe and Mn to colloids was dominated by the redox conditions inside the disposal sites, where there was a reducing environment, Fe and Mn were dissolved. Outside the disposal sites, where there was an oxidizing environment, these metals formed colloids and particles >1 microm. Together with these particles, As was precipitating. For other metal ions (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), we determined an association to colloids coinciding roughly with the colloid size distribution. The results suggest that the change of hydrochemical conditions at the interface, from a reducing, high ionic strength environment inside of the disposal sites to an oxidizing, low ionic strength environment in the groundwater together with physical filtration effects for the larger particles, is an effective chemical barrier for colloids. Field observations suggest, that the colloids form a rather persistent coating around the aquifer matrix that reduces the hydraulic conductivity and enhances the sorption capacity of the aquifer close to the waste disposal sites. In every case, there was an increase of the contaminant concentrations downstream of the waste disposal sites, but the increase was less than expected from the initial transport calculations, which were under the assumption that there was a direct contact between the waste disposal site and the groundwater. It seems more than likely, that under the given conditions, colloids are contributing to a self sealing layer at the landfill bottom. The results of this study are relevant for the assessment of many landfills without appropriate landfill sealing systems.     

Modeling metal bioaccumulation in a deposit-feeding polychaete from labile sediment fractions and from pore water

Estuarine sediments are often highly enriched in particle-reactive metal contaminants and because aquatic animals have often been shown to acquire metals predominantly from their diet, benthic animals feeding on deposited or resuspended sediments may also accumulate metals through this uptake pathway. Laboratory experiments were performed in which the surface deposit-feeding polychaete, Nereis succinea, was exposed to As(+ 5), Cd, and Cr(+ 3) in pore water or in estuarine sediments with and without enrichment with algal debris. These experiments generated metal uptake parameters (assimilation efficiency of ingested metal [AE], uptake rate constant of dissolved metal, efflux rate constants following dietary or aqueous metal exposures) used in a kinetic model of metal bioaccumulation. The model showed that > 97% of the body burden of these metals is accumulated through ingested sediment. The kinetic model was further modified to consider the geochemical fractionation of the metals in the sediments because metals bound to some fractions were shown to be unavailable to these polychaetes. The modified model substituted the AE term for each metal by the percentage of metal extracted in neutral and weak acid exchangeable fractions (termed “carbonex” fraction) multiplied by the slope of the regression between the metal AE and its fractionation in carbonex. The modified model generated predictions of As, Cd, and Cr body burdens in polychaetes at three different estuarine sites that matched independent field observations at these sites (r² = 0.84 for sediments without organic enrichment, r² = 0.87 with organic enrichment). Model predictions that relied on total metal concentrations showed weaker relationships (r² = 0.11-0.50). This study adds to the evidence for the dominance of dietary uptake of metals in aquatic animals and identifies a key sedimentary fraction of metals that can account for bioavailability of sediment-bound metals.     

Preliminary toxicity assessment of water after treatment with UV-irradiation and UVC/H2O2

Photooxidation (UV radiation) and enhanced photooxidation (UVC/H2O2) are water treatment technologies which remove aquatic natural organic matter (NOM) by photodegradation, producing lower molecular weight components and CO2. Since these technologies are being investigated for the treatment of drinking water, knowledge of the potential toxicity of the photooxidation by-products is vital. The potential toxicity of UVA-, UVB-, UVC-irradiated, and UVC/H2O2-treated aquatic NOM in two spot samples from two Australian reservoirs was analysed in two spot samples using Vibriofischeri in the Microtox test, African green monkey kidney cells (AS/NZS 4020:1999), and Daphnia carinata in an acute immobilisation test. Toxicity was not apparent for both the Microtox procedure and cytotoxicity analyses for the UVC-irradiated and UVC/H2O2-treated NOM samples, while UVA- and UVB-irradiated water samples were non-toxic to D. carinata. In contrast, acute toxicity was observed for UVC- and UVC/H2O2-treated water samples. The observed toxicity was attributed to photooxidative degradation of NOM-metal binding sites, which resulted in the release of bioavailable copper ions, as evidenced by higher concentrations of free copper ions in photooxidised water. As the total copper concentrations of the two raw water samples were well below the Australian Water Quality Guidelines for metals in domestic supplies, the release of copper from photooxidised NOM is unlikely to cause health concerns in these samples.     

The effect of pH and hardness metal ions on the competitive interaction between trace metal ions and inorganic and organic complexing agents found in natural waters

The effect of pH and hardness metal ions on the interactions between trace metals and both inorganic and organic complexing agents has been studied under conditions simulating natural aquatic conditions, by employing anodic stripping voltammetric titration techniques. The complexation of Bi(III), Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Tl(I) with the hydroxo- and carbonato-ligands found in a carbonate medium has been observed to generally increase with increasing pH. Both labile and nonlabile interactions have been observed. Nonlabile interactions are predominant at low pH and labile interactions generally increase with increasing pH. Neither calcium nor magnesium affects these interactions. The complexation of humic acids with trace metals in a carbonate medium was found to be more intense than metal ion-inorganic complexation. Both labile and nonlabile complexation was found; however, no generalizations can be made concerning the type and extent of complexation because of the individual nature of the interactions of each trace metal. Calcium was found to be more effective than magnesium in inhibiting trace metal-organic complexation. The effect of calcium is to inhibit labile complexation and is most pronounced with the cadmium-humic acid system.     

Influence of metals and metal speciation on the growth of filamentous bacteria

Calcium, copper, nickel and zinc were examined for their effect on the growth of axenic filamentous bacteria which included strains of Thiothrix, type 021N and type 1701. All organisms grew best at the upper range of calcium concentrations tested. Heavy metals were also less toxic to Thiothrix strain A1 at higher calcium concentrations. Copper was more inhibitory than either nickel or zinc and copper-nickel and copper-zinc mixtures appeared to act synergistically in suppressing the development of Thiothrix strain A1. In contrast, nickel toxicity could be reduced by the addition of zinc to the medium. Metal toxicity could also be diminished by the chelating agent, EDTA; therefore, free metal ions were most likely responsible for the observed toxic effects. A computer model, MINEQL, was used to predict metal speciation and to determine the potential for various media components to control speciation of the metals. The suitability of the computer model was determined by comparison of predicted and analyzed free metal ion concentrations.     

Reducing leachability and bioaccessibility of lead in soils using a new class of stabilized iron phosphate nanoparticles

This study prepared and tested a new class of iron phosphate (vivianite) nanoparticles synthesized with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a stabilizer for in situ immobilization of lead (Pb(2+)) in soils. Batch test results showed that the CMC-stabilized nanoparticles can effectively reduce the TCLP (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure) leachability and PBET (physiologically-based extraction test) bioaccessibility of Pb(2+) in three representative soils (calcareous, neutral, and acidic). When the soils were treated for 56 days at a dosage ranging from 0.61 to 3.0 mg/g-soil as PO(4)(3-), the TCLP leachability of Pb(2+) was reduced by 85-95%, whereas the bioaccessibility was lowered by 31-47%. Results from a sequential extraction procedure showed a 33-93% decrease of exchangeable Pb(2+) and carbonate-bound fractions, and an increase in residual-Pb(2+) fraction when Pb(2+)-spiked soils were amended with the nanoparticles. Addition of chloride in the treatment further decreased the TCLP-leachable Pb(2+) in soils, suggesting the formation of chloro-pyromorphite minerals. Compared to soluble phosphate used for in situ metal immobilization, application of the iron phosphate nanoparticles results in approximately 50% reduction in phosphate leaching into the environment.     

Pb(II)、Cu(II)、Cd(II)在黄土上二元竞争吸附特性研究

铅、铜、镉是3种具有代表性的重金属污染物,可用于模拟多重离子复合污染情况。研究了离子浓度、土水比等因素对3种元素在黄土上二元竞争吸附特性的影响。等温吸附模型Langmuir、Freundlich和D-R模型都能在一定程度上解释Pb(II)-Cu(II)、Pb(II)-Cd(II)、Cu(II)-Cd(II)在黄土上的竞争吸附性能。黄土对Pb(II)、Cu(II)、Cd(II)的选择顺序为Pb(II)>Cu(II)>Cd(II)。相比单一吸附,黄土对每种离子的吸附容量均有不同程度的下降。溶液的初始浓度越大,3种离子在单位黄土上的最大吸附量也随之增大,吸附效率随之降低;适当增大土水比可提高离子的去除效率。试验结果为黄土作为防污屏障和污水处理材料提供了依据。     

Copper complexing properties of melanoidins and marine humic material

Melanoidins, condensation products of sugars and amino acids, represent a key link in the transformation of polysaccharides to humic material in the marine environment. We investigated the complexing capacity of melanoidins that were prepared in deionized water and seawater and separated into different molecular mass fractions. The copper complexing properties of humic material isolated from marine lagoon sediments were determined for comparison. Melanoidins prepared using condensation times longer than two days exibit complexation properties towards copper ions that appear to depend on the basicity of the amino acid precursor and the molecular mass of the product. Pseudomelanoidins, prepared from glucose only, do not complex copper ions at all, regardless of the molecular mass. The highest copper complexing capacity value among melanoidins was measured for a glucose-lysine melanoidin with molecular mass fraction >10 kD (L(T)=2.1x10(-7) molCu(2+)/L). Melanoidin prepared from glucose and glutamic acid >10 kD was similar in complexing capacity to fulvic acid (1-20 kD molecular mass) isolated from lagoon sediments. The presence of calcium and magnesium ions and other macro and microconstituents in the seawater used to prepare melanoidins influences its complexing properties towards metal ions.     

环境中金属离子与有机污染物复合污染研究进展

金属离子与有机污染物可通过多种方式同时存在于环境中,形成复合污染。由于金属离子与有机污染物的相互作用,二者的物理化学性质、迁移转化规律以及生态毒性效应都发生了变化,给污染物的水处理过程以及污染物的生态毒性评估带来极大的挑战。综述了环境中金属-有机物复合污染的来源、金属离子与有机污染物之间的相互作用、共存对二者去除效率的影响以及复合污染的生态毒性研究,以期为复合污染的防治与处理工艺研究提供参考。     

Poorly humified peat as an adsorbent for metals in wastewater

Metal adsorption and surface charge determinations were performed previously on well-characterised Sphagnum and Carex peat samples. The aim of this investigation was to determine metal adsorption from complex wastewaters onto these peat samples and compare it to the adsorption onto peat granules, clinoptilolite, glauconite and a flue dust from steel production. A sulphide mine leachate, a landfill leachate and a laundry wastewater were chosen, giving a variation in pH, ionic strength, total organic carbon and concentrations of metals. Metal adsorption was determined in batch and column experiments. The wastewater composition was of great importance for metal removal efficiency, mainly due to the difference in dominating metal species. In the sulphide mine leachate, containing free metal ions, a high metal adsorption was observed onto both peat and inorganic adsorbents. In the landfill leachate the metals formed carbonate and organic complexes and a low metal removal was achieved. Contrary to the leachates, the laundry wastewater contained suspended particles. The high amount of metals removed, 80% of the Cu and 30-60% of the Zn concentration, was probably withdrawn bound to the particle fraction. The highest removal of metal ions was obtained in the sulphide mine leachate with Carex peat, removing 97-99% of the Zn and 85-100% of the Cu content. The Sphagnum peat sample removed 37-77% of the Zn and 80-100% of the Cu content. The differences found between Sphagnum and Carex peat were attributed to the original chemistry of the plant material and the habitat conditions at the time of peat formation. Generally, the combination of glauconite or clinoptilolite with the peat samples in column experiments gave a minor improvement in metal removal.     

Impact of exopolysaccharides on the stability of silver nanoparticles in water

The stability of commercial silver nanoparticles (SNPs) in aquatic environment plays a significant role in its toxicity to the environment and to human health. Here, we have studied the impact of bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) to the stability of engineered SNPs. When nanoparticles are present in neutral water, the nanoparticles exhibited low zeta potential and are least stable. However, in the presence of EPS (10-250 mg/L), the negative surface charge of nanoparticles increased and therefore the propensity of nanoparticles to aggregate is reduced. In UV-visible spectroscopic analysis a decrease in absorbance at plasmon peak of SNPs (425 nm) was observed till the addition of 50 mg/L of EPS, beyond that a blue shift towards 417 nm was observed. The adsorption of EPS was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The EPS adsorbed SNPs were more stable and exhibited the zeta potential of higher than −30 mV.     

Solid phase partitioning of metals in managed retreat soils: field changes over the first year of tidal inundation

Sequential extraction methods were used to determine the effect of saline inundation on partitioning behaviour of metals in soils at Orplands Managed Retreat site, Essex, UK. A suite of metals (Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analysed in sequential extracts from samples of soil cores extracted immediately before breaching of sea walls in 1995 and 1 year after. Generally, partitioning of most metals was dominated by associations with the residual fraction and an absence of associations with the exchangeable fraction indicating a relatively uncontaminated environment. Changes in partitioning were predominantly limited to the top 8 cm of the soil profile where a decaying mat of vegetation from the pre-inundation surface resulted in high moisture contents and low redox potentials. In this zone, the predominance of metal associations with the residual fraction was replaced by associations with more labile fractions. In the surface layer deposited after breaching, Ca was dominantly associated with the carbonate fraction, which indicates biogenic import from adjacent estuarine sediments.     

The impact of climate change on aquatic risk from agricultural pesticides in the US

We investigate how climate change may affect the acute and chronic toxicity risk to aquatic species from agricultural pesticides in 32 States of the US. We combine climate change projections from the Canadian and Hadley climate model, statistically estimated relationships between pesticide applications and climate and weather variables, and the environmental risk indicator REXTOX developed by the OECD. On average, we find that climate change is likely to increase the toxicity risk to aquatic species by 47% because of increased applications of agricultural pesticides. Daphnia and fish are more affected than algae. Across eight broad crop groups, pesticides used on pome and stone fruits and on fruiting vegetables contribute the most to aquatic risk. Within the 32 US States examined, more than 90% of the pesticide pollution impacts induced by climate change on the aquatic environment are caused by only 13 States near to the coast.     

Assessing the impact of waterborne and dietborne cadmium toxicity on susceptibility risk for rainbow trout

The purpose of this study was to use a risk-based integrated-scale toxicological model to examine the impact of waterborne and dietborne cadmium (Cd) toxicity on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) susceptibility appraised with recent published data. A probabilistic assessment model was performed to estimate Cd susceptibility risk. The dose-response models were constructed based on two endpoints of % Cd in metabolically active pool (MAP) and susceptibility time that causes 50% effect (ST50). We further constructed an elimination-detoxification-recovery scheme to enhance the model predictive ability. We found a 95% probability of % Cd in gill and liver MAP exceeding 47-49% and it was likely (70% probability) to have exceeded 52-55%, but it was unlikely (30% probability) to have exceeded 56-60%. In contrast to gill and liver, gut had a relative lower Cd susceptibility risk (15-17% Cd in MAP) with a longer ST50. We suggested that the proposed probabilistic risk assessment framework can incorporate the elimination-detoxification-recovery scheme to help government based biomonitoring and bioassessment programs to prevent potential aquatic ecosystems and human health consequences.     

Efficiency of aluminum-pillared montmorillonite on the removal of cesium and copper from aqueous solutions

Aluminum-pillared-layered montmorillonites (PILMs) were tested for their potential application in the removal of copper or cesium from aqueous solutions. By varying the initial conditions, several PILMs were prepared and characterized by means of X-ray fluorescence (XRF), proton induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and sorption isotherms. Uptake of metals was studied by means of XRF spectrometry for copper sorption or gamma-ray spectrometry for cesium, using 137Cs as radiotracer. The sorption kinetics and capacity of PILMs were determined in relation to the effects of factors such as the initial metal concentration, initial pH of the solution and the presence of competitive cations. Kinetic studies showed that an equilibrium time of few minutes was needed for the adsorption of metal ions on PILMs. A pseudo-first-order equation was used to describe the sorption process for either copper or cesium. The most effective pH range for the removal of copper and cesium was found to be 4.0-6.0 and 3.0-8.0, respectively. Cesium sorption isotherms were best represented by a two-site Langmuir model while copper isotherms followed the Freundlich or the two-site Langmuir model. Cesium sorption experiments with inorganic or organic competitive cations as blocking agents revealed that the high selective sites of PILMs for cesium sorption (1-2% of total) are surface and edge sites in addition to interlayer exchange sites. In copper sorption, the two sites were determined as interlayer sites of PILMs after restoring their cation exchange capacity and sites associated with the pillar oxides.