Evaluation of Croatian Clinoptiloliteand Montmorillonite-rich Tuffs for Ammonium Removal

Sa？etak In this Study, the ability of a Croatian clinoptiloliteand montmorillonite-rich tuffs to take up ammonium from aqueous Solutions was investigated. Montmorillonite tuff was converted into the Na+ and H+ form by treatment with Na2CO3 (w = 3-5%) and the solution of H2SO4 (w = 15%). The properties of clay modified in this way were investigated as well. The results show that the clinoptilolite tuff efficiency for ammonium removal is far superior (by 45-50%) to the removal efficiency of montmorillonite tuff. Treatment of montmorillonite tuff with Na2CO3 resulted in a slight improvement of its ammonium exchange efficiency. Acid modification of montmorillonite tuff causes a considerable decrease of ammonium exchange. Maximum loadings in ammonium exchange in clinoptilolite tuff, montmorillonite tuff, alkaline modified montmorillonite tuff, and acid modified montmorillonite tuff, as calculated by the Langmuir equation, are 1.20, 0.54, 0.64, and 0.21 mmol g-1 NH4+, respectively