Nitrate and ammonium ions removal from groundwater by a hybrid system of zero-valent iron combined with adsorbents

J Environ Monit. 2012 Apr;14(4):1153-8. doi: 10.1039/c2em10911e. Epub 2012 Feb 20.

Abstract

Nitrate (NO(3)(-)) is a commonly found contaminant in groundwater and surface water. It has created a major water quality problem worldwide. The laboratory batch experiments were conducted to investigate the feasibility of HCl-treated zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) combined with different adsorbents as hybrid systems for simultaneous removal of nitrate (NO(3)(-)) and ammonium (NH(4)(+)) ions from aqueous solution. The maximum NO(3)(-) removal in combined Fe(0)-granular activated carbon (GAC), Fe(0)-filtralite and Fe(0)-sepiolite systems was 86, 96 and 99%, respectively, at 45 °C for 24 h reaction time. The NO(3)(-) removal rate increased with the increase in initial NO(3)(-) concentration. The NO(3)(-) removal efficiency by hybrid systems was in the order of sepiolite > filtralite > GAC. The NH(4)(+) produced during the denitrification process by Fe(0) was successfully removed by the adsorbents, with the removal efficiency in the order of GAC > sepiolite > filtralite. Results of the present study suggest that the use of a hybrid system could be a promising technology for achieving simultaneous removal of NO(3)(-) and NH(4)(+) ions from aqueous solution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Groundwater / chemistry*
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Nitrates / analysis
  • Nitrates / chemistry*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / analysis
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Nitrates
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Iron