The kinetics of sorption of divalent metal ions onto sphagnum moss peat

A pseudo-second order rate equation describing the kinetics of sorption of divalent metal ions onto sphagnum moss peat at diAerent initial metal ion concentrations and peat doses has been developed. The kinetics of sorption were followed based on the amounts of metal sorbed at various time intervals. Results show that sorption (chemical bonding) might be rate-limiting in the sorption of divalent metal ions onto peat during agitated batch contact time experiments. The rate constant, the equilibrium sorption capacity and the initial sorption rate were calculated. From these parameters, an empirical model for predicting the sorption capacity of metal ions sorbed was derived. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved