Application of a new generation of complexing agents in removal of heavy metal ions from different wastes

Complexing agents are extensively applied in many fields of industry. They are used to provide effective controlling trace metal ions in cleaning industries, textile, pulp and paper production, water treatment, agriculture, food industries, etc. Recently, the low biodegradability of these ligands and their accumulation in the environment has become a cause for concern. Therefore, replacement of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid by more environmentally friendly chelating agents is highly desirable. So far, these acids and their salts have been applied as components of household chemistry, cosmetics, modern microelement fertilizers and agrochemicals. This paper reviews the sorption of heavy metal ions such as Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) in the presence of the above-mentioned complexing agents on commercially available anion exchangers of different matrix. The obtained sorption results were fitted using the Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherm models. The kinetic data were also analysed using the Lagergren, Ho and McKay sorption kinetic equations. The studies were carried out considering the effects of such important parameters as phase contact time, initial concentration, pH and temperature. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11356-013-1576-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.