Chemical characterization of blue stains in domestic fixtures in contact with drinking water |
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Authors: | María V Letelier Gustavo E Lagos Arturo Reyes |
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Institution: | (1) Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Centro de Minería, Casilla 306, correo 22, Santiago, Chile |
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Abstract: | Bluish green staining in domestic fixtures was observed in three to 9-year-old houses in the city of Talca, located 256 km.
south of Santiago, the capital of Chile. The houses contained copper pipes which were exposed to soft well water, with low
pH and low buffer capacity. The aim of this paper is to establish the chemical composition of the stains and to determine
the conditions by which they were formed. X-ray diffraction analysis of the stains revealed the presence of malachite, a copper
compound that caused green coloring in kettles and water boilers. Dioptase, which is deep green in coloring, was identified
in a bathtub tile. In one house, where blue stains were found in a toilet bowl, the presence of chrysocolla was suggested
by means of X-ray fluorescence. In the field conditions studied it was concluded that the bluish green stains in bathroom
home appliances were generated by the precipitation of copper compounds in places were leakages occur. |
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Keywords: | Blue stains By-products release Copper corrosion products Drinking water Stain in domestic fixtures |
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