experiments were performed in duplicate and identical concentration vs. time curves were obtained.
Samples (3 ml) were withdrawn at suitable time intervals, filtered through a 0.45 mm membrane filter and then
analysed with an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy analyser (ICP-AES) for all the
studies. A predetermined mass of peat (500–710 mm) was added to each 1.7dm3 batch volume of metal ion solution
using an agitation speed of 400 rpm at 2428C. The solutions were adjusted to a pH of 4.5 using nitric acid.
Experiments were carried out to study the effect of initial metal ion concentration on the adsorption rate. The
experimental conditions adopted are shown in Table 5.