Sorption of Cu(II) and Eu(III) ions from aqueous solution by olive cake

The sorption of Cu(II) on olive cake, a biomass by-product of olive oil production, has been investigated by potentiometry at pH 6, I=0.1 M NaClO4, 25 degrees C and under atmospheric conditions. Numerical analysis of the experimental data supports the formation of surface complexes and allows the evaluation of the corresponding formation constant, which is found to amount log beta=5.1 +/- 0.4. This value is close to corresponding values given in literature for Cu(II)-humate complexes, indicating that the same type of active sites (e.g. carboxylic and phenolic groups) is responsible for the Cu(II) binding by olive cake. Addition of a competing metal ion (e.g. Eu(III) ion) in the system leads to replacement of the Cu(II) by Eu(III). Evaluation of the potentiometric data obtained from competition experiments indicates on a ionexchange mechanism. The formation constant of the Eu(III) species sorbed on olive cake is found to be log beta=5.4 +/- 0.9. The results of this study are of particular interest with respect to waste water treatment technologies using biomass products as adsorbent material and environmental impact assessments regarding disposal of biomass by products in the geosphere.