Ion exchange may be used to remove which type of metals?

Ion exchange is a process commonly used in water treatment for the removal of specific types of ions from solutions. In this context, it is particularly effective when it comes to precious metals such as silver and gold. These metals, due to their unique charge properties, can easily bind to ions in an ion exchange system, allowing for effective separation from other ions in the wastewater.

The mechanism involves the exchange of ions between the solution and a solid resin that has charged sites. When wastewater containing precious metals flows through this resin, the precious metal ions displace other less desirable ions, allowing for recovery and purification. This process is a valuable technique in applications where precious metals need to be concentrated or removed from wastewater.

While base metals and heavy metals can sometimes be treated using ion exchange, the method is especially notable for its success in dealing with precious metals, making it a preferred choice in that specific context. Alkaline metals, on the other hand, typically do not fit well into the ion exchange process due to their reactivity and behavior in solution, making them less suitable targets for this method.