The removalof copper(II) from the polluted river in terms of adsorption on bark was investigated. Bark powders(5-10 mesh) of Karamatsu(Larix leptolesis GORDON.), Oshuakamatsu (Pinus sylvestris LINN.) and Keyaki(Zelkova serrata MAKINO) were used in this experiment. The barks were soaked in the river containing copper(II) shown in Figure 1 for about 26 hours. The amount of adsorbed copper(II) on bark was determined by a atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Barks of Karamatsu, Oshuakamatsu and Keyaki took up copper(II) 0.62mg/g, 1.01mg/g and 0.45mg/g from the river containing 0.50ppm of copper(II), respectiyely. The experimental results indicate the possibility of practical utilization of bark to remove copper(II) from the polluted water.