Nanoparticles of humic acid and iron oxide were impregnated on the inert sand to produce sorbent for treating groundwater contained of cadmium and copper ions by technology of permeable reactive barrier (PRB). Sewage sludge was the source of the humic acid to prepare the coated sand by humic acid—iron oxide (CSHAIO) sorbent; so, this work is consistent with sustainable development. For 10 mg/L metal concentration, batch tests at speed of 200 rpm signified that the removal efficiencies are greater than 90% at sorbent dosage 0.25 g/ 50 mL, pH 6 and contact time 1 h. The kinetic data was well described by the Pseudo first-order model indicating that physicosorption is the predominant mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacities (q_max) were calculated by Langmuir model and their values of 25.273 and 114.142 mg/g for cadmium and copper ions respectively. Computer solution (COMSOL) Multiphysics program has utilized to simulate the metal ions transport in the column tests. Model predictions as well as experimental measurements signified that increasing bed depth with decreasing of flow rate and inlet concentration leads to delay in the propagation of metal front.

腐殖酸和氧化铁的纳米颗粒浸渍在惰性沙子上，通过渗透性反应阻挡层（PRB）技术生产吸附剂，用于处理含镉和铜离子的地下水。污水污泥是腐殖酸的来源，腐殖酸是通过腐殖酸-氧化铁（CSHAIO）吸附剂制备覆膜砂的原料。因此，这项工作与可持续发展是一致的。对于10 mg / L的金属浓度，以200 rpm的速度进行分批测试表明，在0.25 g / 50 mL的吸附剂量，pH 6和接触时间1 h时，去除效率大于90％。动力学数据由伪一阶模型很好地描述，表明物理吸附是主要机理。最大吸附容量（q_最大用Langmuir模型计算），其镉和铜离子的值分别为25.273和114.142 mg / g。计算机解决方案（COMSOL）的Multiphysics程序已在柱测试中用于模拟金属离子的传输。模型预测和实验测量表明，随着流速和入口浓度的降低，床层深度的增加会导致金属前沿传播的延迟。