Highlights
•The accumulation of heavy metals in water sources has increased.
•Natural zeolites are environmentally friendly adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals.
•The structure of natural zeolites can be modified by acid/basis/salt reagent, surfactants, and metallic reagents.
•The most applied natural zeolite for the removal of heavy metals is clinoptilolite.
•Properties of natural zeolites are unique in each region.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653523007750