On the binding capacity of peat to several metal ions of environmental and economic concern

A series of experiments was performed to characterize the metal binding properties of peat from the Jacarepagu bog and to provide basic knowledge on the sorption process. The kinetics of sorption was fast characterized by relaxation times, on the average, less than 60 min. Erichment factors taken at half saturation level ranged from 400 for zinc and cadmiun to > 2800 for gold. The results indicate that the peat from Jacarepagu can be an interesting option for the expensive conventional materials applied to recover metal ions from waste and poor mining waters.