Mechanisms of arsenic removal from water

In this review paper, various methods for arsenic removal from water have been described by explaining the related mechanisms of each methods. Advantages and drawbacks were discussed. Membrane methods were suggested as reliable methods for elimination of arsenic from water in addition to other conventional separation methods.     

Heterogeneous photocatalysis for removal of microbes from water

Increasing water pollution by microbes has become a source of serious health concern across the globe. Production of potentially carcinogenic disinfection by-products has marred credibility of traditional water purification techniques like chlorination. Photocatalysis has emerged as a promising alternative technique for the disinfection of water with minimal risk of harmful by-products. The process involves a wide band gap semiconductor material which, upon irradiation of light, produces electrons and holes with high redox potential to degrade organic contaminants and microbes. In this review, we analyze the research trends in photocatalytic inactivation of water borne microorganisms. This report analyzes the major factors that affect the disinfection efficiency using this process. The discussion also includes plausible mechanisms of microbial degradation as well as a kinetic model of the inactivation process. Different approaches, like doping of semiconductors or energy band engineering or plasmon coupling, have been reported for the enhancement and utilization of ambient solar light. Photocatalysis could be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly water purification technique though further research is required to enhance its efficiency with the use of solar light.     

High Cu removal from water using water hyacinth fixed on alginate

The occurrence of toxic metals in waters is a major health issue. Polluted waters can be cleaned by biosorption, which uses organisms such as algae, bacteria, fungi and plants that adsorb metals. In particular, water hyacinth—Eichhornia crassipes—is a promising biosorbent. Here we tested novel alginate-immobilised water hyacinth beads for the removal of Cu from aqueous solutions. Results show that successful service and regeneration continuous cycles were performed using a packed-bed, flow-through column of fixed internal diameter 1.2 cm, at room temperature and pH 5.1, with variation in initial metal concentration, bed depth and flow rate. The eluant used was 1 % w/v CaCl₂ acidified at pH 3. A concentration factor of 12 and elution efficiency up to 98 % were observed in five service and regeneration cycles performed. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of Cu remained almost constant at about 29 mg/g. To conclude, we show for the first time that alginate-immobilised water hyacinth beads can uptake and adsorb Cu very efficiently in a continuous-flow mode, hence highlighting their great potential for removal of toxic metals from aquatic environments.     

Sulfamethoxazole removal from polluted water by immobilized photocatalysis

The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ deposits (Degussa P25 and Millennium PC500) has been studied using sulfamethoxazole (SMX) as a model water pollutant and a UV fluorescent lamp as a light source (365 nm). Both catalysts have shown very similar properties in the photocatalytic degradation of SMX. Special attention has been given to the effect of the irradiation time, pH, and pollutant concentration. No mass-transfer limitations are observed. The degradation of SMX is accelerated at low concentration, and the photocatalytic degradation kinetics obey the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model, allowing the adsorption and apparent rate constants to be determined for both catalysts.     

过氧化物酶催化去除水体中酚类内分泌干扰物的研究进展

内分泌干扰物(EDCs)会干扰生物体的内分泌系统从而对人类、野生动物以及水生生物产生负面影响,这一问题已经引起了人们的广泛关注.广泛分布于自然环境中的辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)和木质素过氧化物酶(LiP),具有较强的催化氧化能力,能够催化去除雌激素、双酚A等多种具有内分泌干扰效应的污染物.本文在介绍辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)和木质素过氧化物酶(LiP)两种过氧化物酶的相关性质和催化氧化机理的基础上,从污染物结构与其催化去除效率关系的角度综述了过氧化物酶去除具有内分泌干扰效应的污染物的研究进展.为污水处理过程中过氧化物酶用于去除内分泌干扰物提供依据,并展望了其未来的发展方向.     

溶藻菌对受污染水源水除藻及脱氮特性研究

针对我国水源地藻类污染日趋严重等问题,利用前期分离获得的溶藻菌Streptomyces sp.HJC-D1研究固定化微生物技术强化污染水源水除藻以及脱氮性能。结果表明,对照组和试验组的水体叶绿素a平均去除率分别为（71.66±5.35）%和（80.94±4.36）%,NH4＋—N的平均去除率为（77.76±2.83）%和（72.36±3.18）%,而高锰酸盐指数（CODMn）平均去除率为（24.99±1.52）%和（18.74±1.38）%;不同曝气条件的影响研究发现,曝气/停曝时间比2：4、曝气量60 L.h-1工况下,系统CODMn和NH4＋—N去除率均有所提高,相比对照组NO3-—N积累更为明显;水力停留时间（HRT）变化对系统NH4＋—N、CODMn等的去除影响不大,但缩短HRT时叶绿素a去除率有所降低;分析反应器内填料表面微生物相发现,试验组填料表面有溶藻菌富集,推测对照组除藻主要通过填料对藻类的吸附去除,而试验组则是藻类吸附在填料表面后通过溶藻微生物实现藻类去除。     

Polyaniline films for efficient removal of aromatic acids from water

Adsorbents in the form of powders are commonly used to filtrate organic compounds in waters. However, this technique requires the separation of the solid phase from the solution after adsorption experiments. Here we propose the use of films as adsorbents. We synthesized polyaniline films by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline on red ceramic brick. This film was tested to remove trimellitic, hemimellitic and pyromellitic acids as model molecules of the biodegradation of aquatic humic substances. We evaluated the effect of pH, contact time and initial concentration. Our results show that optimal adsorption conditions required 45 min of solid/liquid contact at pH 7 and an initial concentration of 20 mg/l. The maximum adsorption capacities for hemimellitic, trimellitic and pyromellitic acids are 154.83 for hemimellitic acid, 161.88 for trimellitic acid and 175.26 mg/g for pyromellitic acid. The adsorption efficiency of the polyaniline film decreased only by 13 % after four cycles. Overall, we conclude that polyaniline films are promising separable adsorbents compared to conventional adsorbents for removal of aromatic polycarboxylic acids from water.     

Complexing agents for metal removal using ultrafiltration membranes: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Water pollution by human activities is major issue. In particular, toxic metals are of particular concern, thus calling for advanced methods to remove metals from...     

硅酸钙处理富营养化湖水中氨氮的实验研究

湖泊的富营养化问题日益严重,已给人类的生产、生活带来了极大的危害.而氨氮废水的大量排放,使原本恶化的湖泊水雪上加霜.为了去除富营养化湖水中氨氮,研究了硅酸钙对氨氮的吸附性能.经检测可知水样中氨氮的质量浓度为1.12 mg?L-1,实验结果表明,用粒径大小为100目的硅酸钙吸附剂处理100 mL的水样,当投加量为1.0 g,pH为8,震荡时间为60 min时吸附达到平衡,硅酸钙对富营养化湖水中氨氮的去除率达到81.67%;其吸附等温线符合Langmuir和Freundlich吸附等温式,线性相关系数分别为0.9639和0.9793,最大吸附量为6.60 mg?g-1;由此可见硅酸钙能够很好地吸附富营养化水体中的氨氮.     

Dyes removal from water using polymeric nanocomposites: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Most dyes are pollutants that should be removed from waters due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, requiring advanced adsorption methods. Here, we...     

Pollution magnet: nano-magnetite for arsenic removal from drinking water

Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a severe global problem, most notably in Southeast Asia where millions suffer from acute and chronic arsenic poisoning. Removing arsenic from groundwater in impoverished rural or urban areas without electricity and with no manufacturing infrastructure remains a significant challenge. Magnetite nanocrystals have proven to be useful in arsenic remediation and could feasibly be synthesized by a thermal decomposition method that employs refluxing of FeOOH and oleic acid in 1-octadecene in a laboratory setup. To reduce the initial cost of production, $US 2600/kg, and make this nanomaterial widely available, we suggest that inexpensive and accessible “everyday” chemicals be used. Here we show that it is possible to create functional and high-quality nanocrystals using methods appropriate for manufacturing in diverse and minimal infrastructure, even those without electricity. We suggest that the transfer of this knowledge is best achieved using an open source concept.     

The removal of arsenic from water with natural and modified clinoptilolite

The presence of increased arsenic concentrations in Eastern Croatia is a consequence of the geological composition of the soil. Because of its known harmful effects, arsenic removal is of high importance and adsorption represents an attractive and economically efficient approach to arsenic removal. The use of zeolites obtained from the Donje Jesenje deposit, Croatia (CZ) and the Zlatokop deposit in Vranjska Banja, Serbia (SZ) in Na- and Fe–Na-modified forms was investigated in order to effectively remove arsenate and arsenite from aqueous solutions. The adsorption kinetics of arsenic was studied as a function of the initial arsenate and arsenite concentrations (30–300 μg · L^?1), equilibration time (3–48 h), pH (5–10) and in the presence of sulfate and phosphate at initial concentrations of 0.2–0.5 mg · L^?1. In order to estimate sorption constants designating the sorption capacity and affinity of the zeolites samples, the experimental results were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherms. Desorption tests conducted with 1–3 mol · L^?1 HCl indicated that arsenate sorption was irreversible. The results obtained indicated that use of the Serbian zeolite in the Fe–Na-modified form (Fe–Na-SZ) was favourable for arsenate removal from water containing up to 30 μg As · L^?1.     

Monofunctionalized cyclodextrin polymers for the removal of organic pollutants from water

Water is an important resource for domestic, industrial, agricultural and recreational purposes. The quality of water is however significantly deteriorating due to the accumulation of organic pollutants in aqueous systems. Conventional water treatment technologies fail to remove these contaminants to desirable levels. Recent studies have revealed that cyclodextrin nanoporous polymers are capable of absorbing pollutants from water to parts per billion levels. We have demonstrated that functionalised cyclodextrin polymers have enhanced absorption capacities for some organic pollutants. Here we report the synthesis of several insoluble monosubstituted cyclodextrin polymers or “nanosponges”. We show that these polymers have improved abilities in the absorption of p-nitrophenol and pentachlorophenol from aqueous solutions.     

聚多巴胺功能材料在去除水中重金属和有机物方面的应用

多巴胺又名4-(2-乙氨基)-苯-1,2-二酚,类似于海洋生物贻贝分泌的强黏附性蛋白.在含氧的水溶液条件下,多巴胺可发生自聚反应生成聚多巴胺(PDA).聚多巴胺具有强附着性,能够在材料表面形成聚多巴胺薄膜层.聚多巴胺层具有如邻苯二酚和胺基等官能团,能够实现复合材料的功能化.本文从聚多巴胺的自聚-附着机理入手,介绍了聚多...     

Nanoscale materials as sorbents for nitrate and phosphate removal from water

Excessive nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) release into run-off waters from human activities is a major cause of eutrophication. Several techniques are available to remove N and P-containing pollutants, such as chemical precipitation, biological treatment, membrane processes, electrolytic treatment, ion-exchange and adsorption. In order to remove low concentration levels of nitrate and phosphate, adsorption is a cost-effective solution. In this review, we present a list of nanoscale adsorbents such as zero-valent metal, metal oxides/metal hydroxides, and carbon-based materials. We discuss their adsorption capacities, isotherms, kinetics and mechanisms.     

Evaluation of different granulated active carbons for removal of Microcystin-LR from contaminated water

Most frequently encountered freshwater cyanobacterial toxin is Microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Microcystins released from cells into water have been responsible for the death of humans, domestic and wild animals. Removal of microcystin by active carbon has been one of the best methods available so far. This study evaluates three grades of active carbon namely 40, 60 and 80 CTC for their removal efficiency of MC-LR from contaminated water. Kinetics of toxin removal was studied in time course experiments. Protection in mouse model was studied for the samples after the adsorption. Toxin quantitation was done by HPLC method. The MC-LR concentration after 24 hr treatment with 40, 60 and 80 CTC carbons were 4.8, 3.3 and 1.3 microg/ml respectively from an initial concentration of 5.2 microg/ml. Protection in mouse bioassay was seen after 48, 24 and 2 hr of adsorption time respectively for 40, 60 and 80 CTC carbons. 80 CTC carbon was found to be most efficient in removing MC-LR from contaminated water.     

Foam flotation for fine particles removal from water: The example of zeolites

An experimental investigation is reported of the effects of several parameters on the foam flotation of fine zeolite particles, used here also as a model of fine particles. A general discussion is given relative to the application of the process to large‐scale clarification of turbid waters. Ion exchange of zinc, a typical heavy metal, by zeolite followed by flotation was also examined, resulting in the simultaneous removal (recovery) of zeolite and of heavy metal.     

A simple voltammetric procedure for speciation and evaluation of As removal from water

Here, we show a fast and sensitive method for the determination of inorganic arsenic in natural waters using differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry. All the arsenite determinations were done in 2.0 mol L⁻¹ HCl + 3.15 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ Cu(II) supporting electrolyte. 1 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ sodium thiosulphate was used as As(V) reducing agent. The detection limit was 0.5 μg L⁻¹ for both species. The method has been applied to water samples collected in an arsenic-contaminated region of Brazil, in particular, to verify the efficiency of the solar oxidation and removal of arsenic process applied to these waters.     

Simultaneous removal of Co,Cu, and Cr from water by electrocoagulation

This study provides an electrocoagulation process for the removal of metals such as cobalt, copper, and chromium from water using magnesium as anode and galvanized iron as cathode. The various parameters like pH, current density, temperature, and inter electrode distance on the removal efficiency of metals were studied. The results showed that maximum removal efficiency was achieved for cobalt, copper, and chromium with magnesium as anode and galvanized iron as cathode at a current density of 0.025?A?dm^?2 at pH 7.0. First- and second-order rate equations were applied to study adsorption kinetics. The adsorption process follows second-order kinetics model with good correlation. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were studied using the experimental data. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm favors monolayer coverage of adsorbed molecules for the adsorption of cobalt, copper, and chromium. Temperature studies showed that adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous in nature.     

Preparation,characterization, and kinetics of nanoscale iron in nitrate nitrogen removal from polluted water

The aim of this study was to examine the production of nanoscale ions via the liquid phase reduction method and the effectiveness of the removal of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^?–N) as well as measure the products and kinetics of the reactions. The nanoparticles obtained were approximately 50 nm in diameter and the main component was iron (Fe). This custom-made nanoscale Fe was highly positively charged, and reacted rapidly with NO₃^?–N in oxygen-free and neutral conditions at room temperature. A 90% removal rate was achieved when the reaction occurred for 30 min in simulation sample water with vigorous shaking at 250 r/min at NO₃^?–N concentrations of 30, 50, 80 or120 mg N/L. The nanometer Fe dosage was maintained throughout the experiment at 4 g/L. A first-order kinetics equation was applied to the obtained experimental data which followed a pseudo first-order reaction. Data demonstrated that the removal of nitrate nitrogen from polluted groundwater using a nanoscale Fe iron was effective and rapid.