Transmission FT-IR spectra (KBr pellets) were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer Spectrum BX Series FTIR spectrometer, in the 4000-400 cm -1 range, with a 2 cm -1 resolution. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis was carried out using a Varian 700-ES series. A calibration curve was obtained with four standard zirconium solution (0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 mg L -1 respectively). The analyses were performed on the supernatant after dissolving the solids in an HNO3 (2%) aqueous solution.