This paper aimed to study the removal of zinc using bentonite clay from the Northeastern Brazil, as an adsorbent. A study of the clay subjected to thermal and chemical treatment was performed in order to evaluate the optimization of the adsorption capacity of this material. For the evaluation of the kinetic equilibrium of the process, experimental tests were carried out in a finite bath system. The maximum amount of metal adsorbed was 0.151 mEq of metal per gram of calcined clay and 0.257 mEq of metal per gram of sodium saturated clay. The kinetic models of pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion were fitted to experimental data, and the pseudo-second order model provided the best result. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used for the adsorption equilibrium analysis, and the Langmuir model provided the best fit for sorption isotherms. The physicochemical characterization of clay involved X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, chemical analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, helium pyconometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The modified clay has potential use for removing Zn2+ ions replacing more expensive adsorbents, since good adsorption properties will be also associated with great availability and low cost.

O artigo busca reconstruir o mito do mercador de escravos Francisco Félix de Souza (1754-1849). A partir de fontes textuais, entrevistas realizadas com membros da família e do exame do memorial de Francisco Félix de Souza, analisa-se a reconstrução da memória do mercador no seio da família. Ao mesmo tempo, tenta-se entender como a memória do ancestral exprime as implicações políticas associadas à memória da escravidão no Benim contemporâneo.

This paper aims to reconstruct the myth surrounding the Brazilian slave merchant Francisco Félix de Souza (1754-1849). Relying on the exam of textual sources, interviews with family members as well as the examination of Francisco Félix de Souza's memorial, the article analyzes the reconstruction of the memory of the slave merchant within his family. At the same time, it aims at understanding how the memory of the ancestor expresses the political issues related to the memory of slavery in the contemporary Benin.

L'article cherche à reconstruire le mythe autour du marchand d'esclaves Francisco Félix de Souza (1754-1849). À partir de sources textuelles, d'entretiens réalisés auprès des membres de la famille et de l'examen du mémorial de Francisco Félix de Souza, l'article analyse la reconstruction de la mémoire du marchand au sein de la famille. En même temps, il cherche également à comprendre comment la mémoire de l'ancêtre constitue l'expression des enjeux politiques associés à la mémoire de l'esclavage dans le Bénin contemporain.