Remediation of Heavy Metals from Well Water in Gold Mining Communities in Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Western Region of Ghana using Synthetic Silver Impregnated Zeolite X (AgZX)

This study evaluates the use of synthetic silver impregnated zeolite X (AgZX) for remediating heavy metals from well water in ten gold mining communities in Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal, in the western region of Ghana. Heavy metal contamination in groundwater is a serious environmental challenge. The adsorption capacities for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and As²⁺ ions were analyzed. The outcome indicated a momentous adsorption of heavy metals, demonstrating that synthetic AgZX as a prospective way out for water purification. The result depicted the maximum percentage adsorption capacities of 93.5%, 87.5%, and 67.5% for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and As²⁺ ions respectively, and that synthetic AgZX had a high adsorption capacity for these metals. The adsorption data well-fitted to the linear Langmuir isotherm, and the adsorption of Pb2+, Cd, 2+ and As2+, ions levels by the AgZX, follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, which relies on the assumption that chemisorption may be the rate-limiting step. Indicating monolayer adsorption, with maximum monolayer coverage (Qmax) of the synthetic AgZX, the Langmuir constant (KL), the Langmuir separation factor (RL) and R2 values to be 5.934x103 mg/g, 1.93 x10-2 1/mg, (3.5 x10-2 – 7.71 x10--1) and (0.9945-0.9973) respectively. Correlation coefficient (R2 approximately 1) implies favorable adsorption. Free energy constant, KL less than 1, and the Langmuir separation factor (RL less than 1) indicates it is linear, chemisorptions, reversible and that the synthetic AgZX could be an excellent adsorbent for heavy metals remediation. The study demonstrated the potential of synthetic AgZX as a low-cost and sustainable adsorbent for the remediation of heavy metals from water.