Use of beetroot fibers to clean water contaminated with heavy metals,to soften hard water,and to desalinate seawater |
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| Authors: | Jamil Rima Emile Aoun Khalil Hanna |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry , Faculty of Science II, The Lebanese University , Fanar P.O. Box 26110217, Fanar-Matn, Lebanonjrima@ul.edu.lb;3. Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) , Fanar P.O. Box 90 1965, Jdeidet El-Metn, Lebanon;4. Laboratoire d’analyse environnemental des procédés et des systèmes industriels , INSA de Lyon , 20, Avenue Albert Einstein, 69621 Villeurbanne cedex, France |
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| Abstract: | In this article we describe the use of beetroot fibers in treating water contaminated with heavy metals, in softening hard water, and in desalinating seawater. The study was carried out with either beetroot fibers or powdered fibers using a laboratory column with a fixed bed. The effectiveness of the method and the effect of the pH on it were monitored by atomic absorption spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, conductivity measurements, and a volumetric method. The optimum pH range for all the treatment was found to be between 6.0 and 6.6. The heavy metals included in this study were lead, copper, nickel, and zinc. The amount of heavy metals retained by the fibers or the powder was significant in each case. The retention capacity was the strongest for lead and the weakest for nickel. In the case of hard water and seawater studies, our experiments revealed a dramatic decrease in total dissolved solids (TDS), indicating the potential of the method as an aid or an alternative to conventional methods. |
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| Keywords: | Beetroot fibers Remediation Heavy metals Softening Desalination |
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