The adsorption and reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) by surface modified activated carbon (AC) in an aqueous solution was studied. The effects of surface modifications on the properties of the carbons were investigated by the analysis of specific surface area, carbon surface pH, acid/base surface values and functional groups. In order to understand the Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction ratio from Cr(VI) to Cr(III), the Cr adsorption capacity of AC was also measured and discussed by using inductively coupled plasma and UV spectrophotometer. The modifications bring about substantial variation in the chemical properties whereas the physical properties such as specific surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution nearly were not changed. Total Cr adsorption efficiency of as-received activated carbon (R-AC) and nitric acid treated activated carbon (N1-AC and N2-AC) were recorded on 98.2, 99.7 and 100%. Cr(III) reduction efficiency of R-AC increased largely from 0.4% to 28.3% compared to N1-AC and N2-AC.

Removal of Pb(Ⅱ), Cu(Ⅱ), Cr(Ⅲ) and Zn(Ⅱ) ions from aqueous solutions using the adsorption process on domestic loess minerals has been investigated. Variations of contact time, pH, adsorption isotherms and selectivity of coexisting ions and leachate were experimental parameters. YDI, YPT and KRT samples diluted in 1% aquous solution which was adjusted pH 10.8, 8.0 and 6.50, respectively. The result of XRD measurement, Quartz was mainly observed in all samples. In the case of KRT sample, Kaolinite, Feldspar, Chlorite consisting of clay minerals shows almost same pattern with YPT samples. Different properties showed from the YDI sample containing Iillite, remarkably.For all the metals, maximum adsorption was observed at 30min ∼ 60min. Adsorption of metal ions on loess minerals were reached an equilibrium by shaking the solution for about 30min. Removal efficiency of Pb(Ⅱ) ion for KRT, YPT and YDI were 84.7%, 92% and 100%, respectively. The Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) adsorptivity on KRT showed the low in various pH solution However, those on YPT and YDI were high than 90% except for the pH 2 solution. The orders of adsorptivities for domestic loess minerals showed as following : YPT>KRT>YDI. The adsorption isotherms of Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) ions on clay minerals were fitted to a Freundlich's. Freundlich constants(1/n) of KRT and YPT domestic loess minerals were 0.63, 0.97 and 0.36, 0.25, respectively.