by the fact that with more SDS added the SDS molecules began to form micelles in the bulk aqueous solution; moreover, the micelles make the ligands distribute into the bulk solution again. In this region the slope of alumina adsorption curve is flat, which indicated that the interactions between ligand and SDS-coated alumina were strong. On the other hand, at surfactant concentrations higher than about 3.75 mg g1 Alumina, a decrease in the percentage of ions recovery was observed. Probably at surfactant value higher than 3.75 mg g1 the amount of eluting solution is not sufficient for reversible elution of the retained metal ions. As a result, it was more difficult for SDS-coated alumina to desorbs ligands into aqueous solution (Fig 4).