A eutrofização acelerada dos mananciais superficiais, devido aos despejos de águas residuárias não tratadas, vem comprometendo a qualidade das águas utilizadas no abastecimento público. Como conseqüência desse processo, inúmeros registros de florações de cianobactérias são relatados em todo o mundo. Esses microrganismos são potenciais produtores de toxinas, as quais, presentes na água bruta que abastece uma Estação de Tratamento de Água (ETA), precisam ser removidas. As toxinas podem ter efeitos adversos à saúde, podendo causar danos hepatotóxicos, neurotóxicos e dermatotóxicos. A maioria das ETAs brasileiras tratam a água através do processo convencional de tratamento, compreendendo as etapas de coagulação, floculação, sedimentação, filtração e cloração. Esse tratamento é considerado eficiente para remover células de microrganismos, incluindo as cianobactérias. No entanto, suas toxinas não são afetadas, permanecendo na água tratada. Em função disso, alternativas de tratamento devem ser incorporadas ao tratamento convencional, visando remover a hepatotoxina microcistina a concentrações menores ou iguais a 1 μg.L-1, pois esse é o valor máximo permitido (VMP) pela Portaria nº 518/2004, do Ministério da Saúde, a qual define as diretrizes relativas ao controle e vigilância da qualidade da água para consumo humano. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do carvão ativado pulverizado (CAP), na remoção da cianotoxina microcistina presente na água utilizada para abastecimento público. Cinco amostras de CAP, produzidas a partir de madeira, osso, antracito e coco, foram caracterizadas e, para cada uma, determinadas as Isotermas de Freundlich. As Isotermas mostraram que os CAPs produzidos a partir da madeira apresentaram maior capacidade de remover microcistina. Os residuais de microcistina obtidos nestes ensaios foram ajustados ao modelo de decaimento logarítmico. Assim, para cada CAP, foi estabelecida uma equação geral do processo adsortivo, com a qual foi possível estabelecer dosagens de CAP, variando a concentração de microcistina inicial, para atingir uma concentração residual de 1 μg.L-1. A aplicabilidade da equação foi testada para uma amostra de CAP, em água natural, utilizando o coagulante policloreto de alumínio e concentrações iniciais de microcistina de 1, 10 e 100 μg.L-1. Os resultados mostraram que as dosagens de CAP calculadas foram suficientes para atingir o residual desejado. Além disso, através de ensaios de adsorção, em equipamento de jarros, foram simuladas as etapas de coagulação (utilizando coagulantes sulfato de alumínio e cloreto férrico), floculação, sedimentação e filtração do tratamento convencional para água natural acrescida de 100 μg.L-1 de microcistina. A aplicação do CAP foi realizada em dois pontos do tratamento (1) entrada da água bruta e (2) antes da aplicação do coagulante. A aplicação na entrada da água bruta possibilitou remoção da toxina abaixo do VMP, correspondendo à redução de, aproximadamente, 99% da concentração inicial de toxina. Já no ponto de aplicação antes do coagulante, não foi atingido o VMP. A partir dos estudos aqui realizados, concluiu-se que a melhor maneira de escolher o CAP para remoção de microcistina é a realização de ensaios específicos, como a Isoterma de Freundlich. Para uma remoção eficiente da toxina, o tratamento convencional mostra-se eficaz, desde que a etapa de adsorção seja incorporada ao tratamento. / The accelerated surface waters eutrophication, due to non treated residual waters discharges, has been harming the water quality utilized in the public supply. As a consequence of this process, countless records of cyanobacterias’ bloom are reported all over the world. These microorganisms potentially producers of toxins, which, when presented in the raw water that supplies the Water Treatment Plant (WTP), needs to be removed. The toxins can have harmfull effects to the health causing hepatotoxic, neurotoxic and dermatotoxic damage. Most of the Brazilian WTPs treat the water through the conventional water treatment process, covering the stages of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtering and chlorination. This treatment is considered efficient to remove microorganisms’ cells, including cyanobacterias. However its toxins are not affected, remaining in the treated water. Due to this fact, alternative treatment must be incorporated to the conventional one, trying to remove the microcystin hepatotoxin to concentrations lower or equal to 1 μg.L-1, the maximum allowed value (MAV) according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health Administrative Ruling 518/2004, which defines the rules related to the control and vigilance of the water quality for human consumption. In this context, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of the powdered activated carbon’s (PAC), in the removal of the microcystin cyanotoxin present in the water for public supply. Five samples of PAC, made of wood, bone, antracite and coconut, were characterized and, for each one, were determined Freundlich adsorption isotherm . The isotherm showed that the PACs produced from wood presented the highest capacity of microcystin removal. The residuals of microcystin obtained in these tests were adjusted to the logarithmic decay model. Thus, for each PAC, it was established a general equation of the adsorptive process, in order to establish PAC dosages, varying the initial microcystin concentration, to achieve the residual concentration of 1 μg.L-1. The usage of this equation was tested for one sample of PAC, in natural water, using poly-aluminum chloride as a coagulant and the initial concentrations of microcystins of 1, 10 and 100 μg.L-1. The results showed that the dosage of PAC calculated was enough to achieve the desired residual. Besides this, through adsorptive tests, using jar’s equipments, were simulated the stages of coagulation (using alum sulphate and ferric chloride as coagulants), flocculation, sedimentation and filtering of the conventional treatment for natural water and with 100 μg.L-1 of microcystin added. The application of the PAC was performed in two points of the treatment: (1) entrance of the raw water and; (2) before the application of the coagulant. The application in the entrance of the raw water made possible the removal of the toxin under MAV, corresponding to a reduction of, approximately, 99% of the initial concentration of the toxin. Nevertheless, in the point of application before the coagulant, the MAV was not achieved. According to these studies, it was concluded that the best manner of choosing the PAC for microcystin removal is the realization of specific tests like a Freundlich isotherm. For an efficient removal of the toxin, the conventional treatment is efficient, once the adsorption stage is incorporated to the treatment.

The period of industrialization after the second World War in Europe released SO2 and NOx by combustion of fossil fuels and contributed the formation of S and N compounds in the forest ecosystem. The Swedish forest soil systems were influenced by emissions of SO2 followed by H2SO4 deposition, consequently the pool of SO42- had increased in the forest ecosystem. This thesis studied SO42- adsorption in a podzolic Bs horizon soils taken from a Swedish forest soil system. The soil samples from five different sampling sites were collected and the results revealed different amounts of adsorbed SO42- in response to changes in equilibrium concentration and pH. This study found that the amount of adsorbed SO42- (mmol/kg) increased with an added equilibrium concentration of SO42- (mmol/l) and with a decreasing pH. This was determined by equilibration experiments. Based on the results a Freundlich-based model was developed to predict the pool of adsorbed SO42- in the soil samples. The model predicted the pool of adsorbed SO42- (mmol/kg) as a function of pH and the equilibrium concentration of SO42- (mmol/l) in the soil solution system. The extended Freundlich model was optimized in three different ways: by use of unconstrained, constrained and simplified two-point calibration. The results showed that the adsorption of sulfate in the Kloten Bs1 and Risbergshöjden B soils was higher as compared to the Tärnsjo B, Österström B, and Risfallet B soils. The coefficient of determination (R2) determined from an unconstrained fit of the extended Freundlich model (with three adjustable parameters) for Risbergshöjden B and Kloten Bs1 were R2 =0.998 and R2=0.993. Nearly as good fits were found in a constrained fit with two adjustable parameters when it was assumed that nearly 2 protons (2 H+) are co-adsorbed with one SO42- ion (Risbergshöjden B; R2=0.997 and Kloten Bs; R2=0.992). The simplified two-point calibration with two adjustable parameters showed similar parameter values for all most soils and was considered the best optimization method of extended Freundlich model, especially as it requires only limited input data.

This thesis is an attempt to analyze and interpret the behavior of the two elements arsenic and phosphorus when released into the environment. Both of them may occur naturally in the environment but also may be added to the environment for certain purposes e.g. as pesticides and fertilizers respectively or through anthropogenic sources. When in excess, arsenic can be toxic to plants and organisms in the soil and some of it when leaches to groundwater or transported to surface water bodies through runoffs may pose a threat to aquatic organisms. Likewise, phosphorus when in excess result into eutrophication of surface water bodies and groundwater as well which has been a major problem in the Baltic Sea. In order to be able to predict their mobility a study on their chemical and physical characteristics under different conditions is important. The soil composition is an important aspect of nutrient management because some of the minerals present i.e. hydr(oxides) of aluminium and iron tend to hold and store both arsenic and phosphorus in the soil, while plant uptake and harvest may remove them (especially phosphorus) from the soil. This study was focused on Swedish agricultural soils and the samples for investigation were collected from two locations, one is Broknäs from which samples were collected from different horizons i.e. A 0-30 cm, C 60-90 cm and C 47-67 cm samples from an area known as Bogesundslandet, NE of Stockholm (59°24’N, 18°18’E) and E21:2 was collected from the county of Östergötland (58°27’N,14°57’E), southern Sweden not far from Lake Vättern, from where the A horizon was collected. Batch experiments were performed to check pH and concentration dependence of the sorption/desorption of As and P. Two varieties of the Freundlich equation (Basic and Competitive) were used to model the results obtained. It was observed that the dependence of arsenate and phosphate sorption/desorption on pH show a similar but not identical trend for both anions. At low pH, the dependence of dissolved P and As did not agree, for unknown reasons. Possibly, the low pH value may mobilize otherwise un-reactive P that at higher pH are blocked by some aluminium/iron precipitate. The Freundlich modeling results showed that there is direct competitive adsorption between As and P ions, at least in the A horizon. However use of the competitive Freundlich equation did not result in meaningful results in the C horizon, which may indicate different As and P sorption mechanisms. However, further studies on this are recommended.

L’objectif de cette thèse a consisté en la synthèse d’un polymère à empreinte moléculaire (MIP) permettant l’extraction du phosmet, un pesticide organophosphoré largement utilisé en oléiculture. La recherche du monomère fonctionnel (MF) disposant de la meilleure capacité à interagir de manière non-covalente avec le phosmet en présence du solvant porogène le plus approprié a été réalisée pour la toute première fois au moyen d’un capteur à acétylcholinestérase. Cette stratégie innovante a permis une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes cinétiques à l’œuvre lors de l’interaction MF-molécule cible. De par l’importance de son rôle dans la détermination de la structure d’un MIP, le choix d’un agent réticulant aux caractéristiques physico-chimiques adéquates a permis de sélectionner le meilleur MIP en s’appuyant sur l’étude des isothermes d’adsorption selon les modèles de Freundlich et Langmuir. La procédure d’extraction du phosmet selon la procédure MISPE (Molecularly Imprinted Solid Phase Extraction) a été effectuée par le biais d’une cartouche SPE dont la capacité a été évaluée à partir d’une solution standard. La validation du choix des réactifs de MIP sélectionnés a été confortée par la réalisation d’une expérience de réactivité croisée appliquée à une molécule analogue au phosmet. L’extraction du phosmet de l’huile d’olive a pu être effectuée avec succès selon un protocole d’extraction en flux inverse optimisé. Cette étude ouvre ainsi la voie à la recherche de nouvelles interactions MFs-molécules cibles au moyen de biocapteurs enzymatiques inhibant des composés toxiques tels que les herbicides, fongicides et autres pesticides. / The objective of this thesis has been the synthesis of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the extraction of phosmet, an organophosphorus pesticide widely used in olive growing. The search for the functional monomer (FM) having the best ability to interact non-covalently with phosmet in the presence of the most suitable pore-forming solvent was carried out for the first time by means of an acetylcholinesterase sensor. This innovative strategy allowed us to better understand the kinetic mechanisms of FM-template interaction. Because of the importance of its role in determining the structure of a MIP, the selection of a crosslinking agent with adequate physicochemical characteristics made it possible to select the best MIP, whose adsorption isotherms were studied according to Freundlich and Langmuir models. Extraction of phosmet using a Molecularly Imprinted Solid Phase Extraction (MISPE) procedure was carried out via an SPE cartridge, whose capacity was evaluated from a standard solution. The choice of reagents and experimental conditions were validated by carrying out selectivity assays using another organophosphorus insecticide. Extraction of phosmet from olive oil was successfully carried out according to an optimized reverse flow extraction protocol. This work opens new opportunities for studying new FM-template interactions by means of enzymatic biosensors capable of detecting other inhibitors such as herbicides, fungicides and other pesticides.

Resumo: A informação sobre a adsorção de selênio (Se) em solos da região tropical é restrita e existem poucos parâmetros numéricos disponíveis para a definição de estratégias de remediação de áreas contaminadas. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: avaliar a retenção de Se por amostras superficiais (0-0,2 m) de 30 solos representativos do Estado de São Paulo, pela quantificação de parâmetros de adsorção (Kd, Koc, Adsmáx, KL, Kf e n); gerar modelos de regressão e correlacionar os atributos químicos e físicos dos solos com os parâmetros de adsorção. Os experimentos de adsorção de Se foram conduzidos de acordo com o método "batch". Isotermas de adsorção foram construídas a partir dos resultados experimentais e comparadas com as isotermas ajustadas pelos modelos de Langmuir e de Freundlich. A adsorção de Se foi representada por isotermas tipo L (exponencial) e tipo C (linear) e a equação de Langmuir ajustou melhor os resultados de adsorção de Se do que a isoterma de Freundlich. Os valores médios dos parâmetros de adsorção foram: Kd = 133 L kg-1, Koc = 2927 L kg-1, Adsmáx = 976 mg kg-1, KL = 0,04 L kg-1, Kf = 46 L kg-1 e n = 0,45. Os valores de Kd estiveram correlacionados principalmente com os teores de argila (r = 0,72*), enquanto Kf se correlacionou com teores de argila (r = 0,67***) e de óxidos de Fe livres (FeDCB; r = 0,69***) e amorfos (Feox; r = 0,56**). Os demais parâmetros de adsorção de Se não apresentaram relação causa-efeito com os atributos dos solos. Na análise conjunta, os teores de FeDCB explicaram 60% da variação dos valores de Kd e 50% da variabilidade de Kf, enquanto os teores de argila responderam por 52% da variação dos valores de KL. / Abstract: Very limited information is available on selenium (Se) adsorption behavior in tropical soils and there are few numerical parameters related to the phenomena that can be used as references to take decisions on management strategies in contaminated areas. The objectives of this study were to evaluate Se adsorption in topsoil samples (0-0.2 m) from 30 representative soils of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, based on the quantitative adsorption parameters (Kd, Koc, Adsmax, KL, Kf and n) and on its correlation with chemical and physical soil attributes. Adsorption experiments were conducted according to batchwise method. Adsorption isotherms were elaborated from experimental results and compared with the isotherms fitted by Langmuir and Freundlich models. Selenium adsorption isotherms following L-type (exponential) and C-type (linear) pattern and Langmuir equation fitted well to the soil experimental results, when compared with Freundlich model. Arithmetic mean values for adsorption parameters were: Kd = 133 L kg-1; Koc = 2,927 L kg-1; Adsmáx = 976 mg kg-1; KL = 0.04 L kg-1; Kf = 46 L kg-1 and; n = 0.45. Distribution coefficient (Kd) was correlated with clay content (r = 0.72*), while Freundlich coefficient (Kf) was correlated with clay content (r = 0.67***) and with crystalline (r = 0.69***) and amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides (r = 0.56**). No consistent correlations were observed between soil attributes and Adsmaz, KL, n and Koc. In the joint analysis, crystalline Fe oxyhydroxides content explained 60% of the variation in Kd values and 50% of Kf variability, while clay content accounted for about 52% of the KL values. / Orientador: Wanderley Jose de Melo / Coorientador: Márcio Roberto Soares / Banca: Mara Cristina Pessoa da Cruz / Banca: José Carlos Casagrande / Mestre

It is known that when water is a product in reactions catalysed by cation exchange resins, it inhibits the reaction rate much more than predicted by the reverse reaction or dilution effects. In this work the inhibiting effect is ascribed to the preferential association of the catalytically active sites with water. In the derivation of the kinetic model, a Freundlich type adsorption isotherm was used to quantify the number of sites occupied by water. This is combined with a power law expression for the reaction rate. The resultant expression can accurately predict the reaction rate for various initial concentrations of water and mesityl oxide. Even when water was initially added to the reaction mixture, this model still gave an absolute average error of 6.5% compared to a 54.6% error when the same approach was followed but with the more popular Langmuir isotherm to describe site deactivation. The kinetic expression previously proposed for this reaction system by Klein and Banchero also failed when water was added to the reaction mixture and gave an average error of 71.1%. The procedure used to derive the model is therefore suggested for all cation exchange catalysed reactions where water is one of the products. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

Sorption of quaternary metal ions (Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+) was carried out on lignite from the South Moravia. Following experiments were tested: kinetic sorption, dependence of sorption on pH, initial concentration, temperature, effect of electrolytes (KNO3 and NaCl) and desorption in deionized water. Sorption studies was carried out in quaternary mixtures and in the case of inicial concentration effect additional in a single-component solution. The batch sorption experiments was used. Sorption time was 24 hour, although concentration of ions was a near equilibrium after two hour. As the optimal pH was determined pH 5. The order of affinity by lignite was obtained Pb >> Cd > Zn > Cu for the sorption of metals in the single-component solution and the order was Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd for the sorption of mixture of metals. The maximum adsorptium capacities from single solutions were for Pb 97,82 mg/g, Cd 60,34 mg/g, Zn 49,88 mg/g and Cu 30,28 mg/g and in the case of ones from mixture solutions were for Pb 39,03 mg/g, Cu 25,94 mg/g, Zn 15,21 mg/g and Cd 5,18 mg/g. Experimental data have been analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich model. Thermodynamic values H°, S° and G° were calculated. Desorption test showed that desorption efficiency is 0–3 %. NaCl had the greatest influence on sorption from electrolytes. On the basis obtained results we can say that metals are binding to lignite in particular due to chemical interactions. Lignite is s suitable as a sorption material for metal ions especially in the field of low concentrations.

Fluoride, the most abundant form of fluorine, is an ion released into the environment, mainly via anthropogenic sources and erosion of mineral rocks. Although the element is well known for its health benefits on teeth and bones, it can as well be a harmful pollutant. In some areas on earth, the population can not obtain drinking water that is below the guideline limits of fluoride, which is set to 1.5 mg/L by the world health organization (WHO). Therefore there is a relevance to develop methods that can clean the waters from excess fluoride. The potential problems when it comes to finding these types of methods is that they can be expensive. However, materials generated as residues in industrial processes may be low in cost. In this thesis, silicon reduced AOD-slag, a material generated as a by-product from the production of stainless steel, was examined by its fluoride adsorption behavior and adsorption capacity. The concentrations of fluoride were measured with ion chromatography (IC) and the concentration of metals were analyzed with microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES). Additionally pH and conductivity were measured. The functionality of the material surface was analyzed with isotherm modeling, where the Sips isotherm model was tested. Moreover, optimization of the slag was performed by heat treating the material, as well as a sorption kinetics test on both optimized and original slags. The results from the analysis indicated that the material corresponds well to the Sips isotherm. Considering this result it is suggested that at low concentrations, the surface can be characterized as heterogeneous, with different binding energies at different available sites. At higher concentrations the Sips-model explains the surface to be saturated when a monolayer of fluoride is formed. Therefore the binding on the slag surface can be described to have an inner-sphere and covalent character. The metal analysis showed that calcium ions are released from the slag when in aqueous solutions. The presence of calcium in the liquid samples are believed to result in formations of solid calcium fluoride (CaF2), precipitated on the slag surface. Lastly, the maximum fluoride removal is believed to differ between different types of AOD-slag, where there as well are possibilities to optimize the material.

Submitted by Deyse Queiroz (deysequeirozz@hotmail.com) on 2018-06-13T13:49:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 GILVANISE ALVES TITO - TESE PPGEA 2009..pdf: 11064945 bytes, checksum: bac5edce5a2a3875418ba29344312d3e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-13T13:49:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GILVANISE ALVES TITO - TESE PPGEA 2009..pdf: 11064945 bytes, checksum: bac5edce5a2a3875418ba29344312d3e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09 / A contaminação dos solos por metais pesados tem sido um problema crescente ao meio ambiente e à saúde das pessoas em função da alta toxicidade, razão por que a ciência busca alternativas que possam impedir ou pelo menos minimizar os efeitos poluidores desses metais ou, ainda, remediar os ambientes já contaminados. Assim, vários estudos utilizando matérias adsorventes estão sendo conduzidos como forma de reduzir os efeitos poluidores desses metais. E importante conhecer o processo de adsorção de metais pesados por minerais de argila, uma vez que estes são capazes de imobilizar referidos metais. No presente trabalho avaliou-se, através de três experimentos, a capacidade da bentonita na remediação de solos contaminados com zinco e cobre. O primeiro experimento consistiu no estudo da adsorção desses metais pela bentonita, em pH 4; 5 e 6, utilizando-se os modelos matemáticos de Langmuir e Freundlich. A partir de experimentos tipo "batch" foram elaboradas isotermas de adsorção com quantidades crescentes de zinco e cobre (5; 10; 20; 30; 50; 100; 150 e 200 mg L"1); o segundo experimento consistiu no estudo da mobilidade de zinco e cobre em colunas de lixiviação, preparadas com solo e doses crescentes de bentonita (0; 30 e 60 t ha"1). Os parâmetros de transporte foram calculados através do modelo computacional DISP. No último experimento avaliou-se, em casa de vegetação, o efeito das doses de zinco e cobre (50; 250 e 450 mg kg"1) e de bentonita (0; 30 e 60 t ha"1), adicionados ao solo, na produção de fitomassa e composição mineral do feijoeiro. Terminado o experimento (65 dias), foram determinadas as concentrações do zinco e do cobre nas partes aéreas e nas raízes das plantas e no solo das unidades experimentais, cujos resultados permitiram concluir que a incorporação de bentonita ao solo aumentou a adsorção do zinco e do cobre e que esta adsorção é dependente do pH da solução; que os modelos de Langmuir e Freundlich se apresentaram adequados para descrever a adsorção desses metais; que o tamanho das partículas da bentonita não influenciou na adsorção e a incorporação de bentonita ao solo contribuiu para diminuir a concentração e o acúmulo dos metais zinco e cobre, nas plantas de feijão-macassar. / The contamination of soil by heavy metais has been a growing problem to the environment and to the people's health in function of their toxicity, that has induced the science to search alternatives to prevent, or at least, minimize the pollutant effects of those metais or still, remediate the already polluted environment. Thus, several studies using sorbent materiais are conducted aiming to reduce the pollution problems produced by the excess of heavy metais. It is important to know the process of adsorption of heavy metais by clay minerais, because these are capable to immobilize such metais. The present study was carried out aiming, through three experiments, to evaluate the ability of the bentonite clay on the remediation of soils contaminated with zinc and copper. The fírst experiment consisted in studying the adsorption of these metais by bentonite at pH 4; 5 and 6, using the mathematical models of Langmuir and Freundlich. Adsorption isotherms were elaborated from batch adsorption assays, with increasing zinc and copper concentrations (5; 10; 20; 30; 50; 100; 150 and 200 mg L"1); the second experiment consisted in studying the zinc and copper mobility through leaching columns, prepared with soil and increasing bentonite leveis (0; 30 and 601 ha"1). The transport parameters were calculated using the computer model DISP. Finally, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc and copper (50; 250 and 450mg kg"1) and bentonite (0; 30 and 60 t ha"1) added to the soil, on the phytomass production and mineral composition of a bean plant (Vigna unguiculata.h). At the end of the experiment (65 days) the phytomass and the content of zinc and copper in the aerial part, in the roots and in the soil were determined. It was observed that the adsorption of the elements increased with the bentonite application being dependent of the pH of the solution; the two studied models are appropriate to describe the zinc and copper adsorption for the bentonite; the granulometric size of the bentonite does not influence the metais adsorption and that the application of bentonite to the soil contributed to the decrease the concentration and accumulation of the heavy metais in the bean plant.

The Diploma thesis deals with humic acids and their ability to adsorb metal ions on their surface. Humic acids are aromatic polycyclic compounds which contain carboxylic and fenolic functional groups on their sidechains. Thanks to these functional groups humic acids can form complexes with metal ions of different stability and assist the partial immobilization of pollutants in the nature. In this thesis, the sorption of Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions on humic acids was studied by relatively new electroanalytic method called galvanostatic stripping chronopotentiometry. Experimental data were described by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The results show that the amount of examined metal ions increases with their increasing concentration. Furthermore it was determined that Pb2+ ions are adsorbed better on humic acids than Zn2+ ions. Both metals are adsorbed better from solution containing only one metal ion than in presence of four metals at the same time (Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb) where the sorption of these metals is not influenced by the presence of other metals.