The kinetic studies of the cobalt ion removal from aqueous solutions by dolomite-based sorbent

The kinetics of Co(II) ions adsorption on thermally activated dolomite was studied with respect to the calcination temperature of natural dolomite. The sorption of Co(II) onto all samples is reasonably fast: The first 30–35 min accounts for approximately 70–80 % of Co(II) removal from feed solutions. In order to select the main rate-determining step in the overall uptake mechanism, a series of experiments were performed and data obtained were interpreted in terms of film diffusion control, intraparticle diffusion, pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. From the modeling of kinetic data, it can be concluded that adsorption of Co(II) ions from aqueous solution by heat-treated dolomite is a complex phenomenon and occurs in a mixed diffusion mode—the kinetic data are well described by the pseudo-second-order equation. The possible multistage sorption mechanism involving film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion control steps as well as chemical interaction between Co(II) ions and calcined dolomite is proposed.