This paper reports on the adsorption of low polarity pesticides Carbetamide and Metamitron on hydrotalcite [Mg3Al(OH)8]2CO3·nH2O and organohydrotalcites [Mg3Al(OH)8]2DDS·nH2O with different degree of dodecyl sulphate (DDS) saturation. The adsorbents and the adsorption products were characterized by X-ray diffraction method and FT-IR spectroscopy. Both pesticides were better adsorbed on organohydrotalcite with higher DDS saturation, while their adsorption on inorganic hydrotalcite was very low. The results indicate that the adsorption capacity of different materials depends on their nature as well as structure and polarity of the pesticides and suggest the possibility of use of organohydrotalcite to uptake the Carbetamide and Metamitron from contaminated waters. The results also showed that the recyclability of organohydrotalcite and their reutilization as adsorbent is possible.

This work has been partially supported by the Project of Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (REN 2001-1700) and by the Research Groups FQM 214 and RNM 124 of Junta de Andalucía. F. Bruna acknowledges the financial support from Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia.

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