Removal of Pb 2+ and Fe2+from water samples in Ghana by synthetic zeolites as measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy and light transmission experiments

Abstract

The removal efficiencies of laboratory-synthesized zeolite types LTA and LTX on lead and iron in water samples collected from rivers, streams, and wells from Central and Volta regions of Ghana were investigated. The synthesized zeolites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transformed infrared analysis. We have achieved the following results: for zeolite LTX, lead concentrations in the raw water samples and the treated water samples were respectively 0.192 mgL-2 and 0.005 mgL-2 (allowable level in drinking water: 0.01 mgL-2; and iron concentrations in the raw water and treated water samples were respectively 2.797 mgL-2 and 0.129 mg-2 (allowable level in drinking water: 0.3 mgL-2. For zeolite LTA, lead concentrations in the raw water samples and the treated water samples were respectively 0.192mgL-2 and 0.005 mgL-2 and iron concentrations in the raw water and treated water samples were 2.797 mgL-2 and 0.129 mg -2 respectively. The results showed that both zeolite types were effective in removing both lead and iron metal ions in all water samples