Sorption kinetic studies of ammonium from aqueous solution on different inorganic and organic media

In this study, the sorption of ammonium from aqueous solution onto activated carbon, natural zeolite, peat and potting soil was studied by performing batch kinetic sorption experiments. The activated carbon wasn't efficiently removing ammonium at concentrations higher than 50 mg L(-1). Sorption isotherms of ammonium on zeolite, peat and potting soil were determined at 25 degrees C and 200 rpm with the initial concentration of 50-7000 mg L(-1). Equilibrium data were fitted by Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin isotherm and parameters were evaluated according these models. Langmuir model gives better fit to experimental data than Freundlich and Temkin models. Maximum adsorption capacities were for activated carbon 0.631 mg g(-1), zeolite 58 mg g(-1), peat 595 mg g(-1) and for potting soil 575 mg g(-1). The equilibrium kinetic data were analyzed using adsorption kinetic models: the pseudo-first and second-order equations and were found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A comparison between linear and non-linear regression method for estimating the adsorption and kinetics parameters was examined. The obtained results showed that non-linear method may be a better way to determine the kinetic parameters. Thermodynamic studies showed exothermic and endothermic nature of the adsorption of NH4(+) on inorganic and organic adsorbents, respectively. From present results it can be seen that zeolite, peat and potting soil are good adsorbents for removal ammonium from aqueous solution.