Adsorption of phosphate, sulfate, and copper ion to goethite was investigated. Goethite was prepared in the alkaline solution. In the single adsorbate systems, the final equilibrium plateau reached within 20 min. The adsorption isotherms of the individual ions could be well described by the Langmuir equation. The maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) were calculated as 0.483 mmol/g and 0.239 mmol/g at pH 3 for phosphate and sulfate ion, and 0.117 mmol/g at pH 6 for copper ion, respectively. In competitive adsorption system with phosphate and sulfate, phosphate ion was a stronger competitor for adsorption on goethite than sulfate ion, which was consistent with higher affinity of phosphate ion for the surface compared to sulfate ion. The existence of sulfate ion enhanced the adsorption of copper ion but the adsorption of sulfate was inhibited when copper ion was present.

• 김정두(부경대학교 화학공학부) | Jung-Du Kim
• 유수용(부경대학교 화학공학부) | Su-Yong Yoo
• 문명준(부경대학교 화학공학부) | Myung-Jun Moon
• 감상규(제주대학교 토목환경공학전공) | Sang-Kyu Kam
• 주창식(부경대학교 화학공학부) | Chang-Sik Ju
• 이민규(부경대학교 화학공학부) | Min-Gyu Lee Corresponding Author