“…Then, kinetic experiments were carried out to assess the effect of initial Cu(II) concentration (45-200 mg•L −1 ), using both the Na-based zeolites at dosages 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g•L −1 , on the degree of copper removal. The suspensions (3 mL aliquots) were taken at predefined time intervals (5,10,15,20,30, and 60 min), filtered using syringe filters (0.45 µm pore size, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Chromafil) and analyzed with inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in order to determine the residual metal ion concentration. All tests were carried out in conical flasks, with an operating volume of 250 mL, at a constant ionic strength of 0.1 M NaCl and room temperature (25 ± 1 • C) under stirring at 600 rpm using a magnetic stirrer (Agimatic-ED; J.P. Selecta, Barcelona, Spain).…”