Plantation of humic acid nanoparticles on the inert sand through simple impregnation to obtain the permeable reactive barrier (PRB) for treating of groundwater contaminated with copper and cadmium ions. The humic acid was extracted from sewage sludge which is byproduct of the wastewater treatment plant; so, this considers an application of sustainable development. Batch tests signified that the coated sand by humic acid (CSHA) had removal efficiencies exceeded 98 % at contact time, sorbent dosage, and initial pH of 1 h, 0.25 g/50 mL and 7, respectively for 10 mg/L initial concentration and 200 rpm agitation speed. Results proved that physicosorption was the predominant mechanism for metals-CSHA interaction because the sorption data followed pseudo-first-order model. The maximum sorption capacity (qmax) of copper and cadmium reached to 87.5 and 18.9 mg/g, respectively. Characterization tests proved that humic acid nanoparticles were precipitated on the sand surfaces. The computer solution (COMSOL) Multiphysics 3.5a had a high ability in the explanation of experimental migration of adopted metal ions. Measurements and model predictions signified that there was a delay in the propagation of metal front due to decrease of concentration and flow rate at specific bed depth.
