The synthesis of highly selective immobilised ligands for extraction of toxic metal ions from wastewater

Abstract

Toxic metals are classified as inorganic pollutants. They are known to be recalcitrant pollutants in our natural environment. Toxic metal effluents are directly or indirectly discharged into the environment from industries such as metal plating facilit ies, mining operations, fertilis er plants, paper and other industries, tanneries, batteries, etc., especially in developing countries. South Africa has a rich diversity of mineral deposits and many of the se minerals are either toxic themselves or associated with toxic elements. A large percentage of the available water in South Africa is used in mining and heavy industries for cooling, creating slurries, separation processes, etc. Mine dumps contain radioactive elements such as U-235 which are by-products in Au mining. These toxic metal ions dissolve easily and get washed into rivers and streams. Some industries even dump the untreated water directly into rivers and streams.

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