Adsorption Performance Analysis of Alternative Reactive Media for Remediation of Aquifers Affected by Heavy Metal Contamination

Antonio Molinari, Celia Margarita Mayacela Rojas, Amerigo Beneduci, Adalgisa Tavolaro, Maria Fernanda Rivera Velasquez and Carmine Fallico
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Antonio Molinari: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Università della Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
Celia Margarita Mayacela Rojas: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Università della Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
Amerigo Beneduci: Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università della Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
Adalgisa Tavolaro: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Tecnologia delle Membrane, CNR-ITM, Università della Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
Maria Fernanda Rivera Velasquez: Faculty of Engineering, National University of Chimborazo, Riobamba EC060104, Ecuador
Carmine Fallico: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Università della Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: A series of experimental batch tests has been carried out with the aim of improving the knowledge of fundamental processes related to the fate and behavior of heavy metals that can be of environmental concern in groundwater. The analysis of contaminants (i.e., Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) dynamics in different environmental compartments is specifically addressed by comparing the removal efficiencies of different types of reactive materials, three natural (i.e., vegetal fibers, natural limestone and natural zeolite) and one synthetic (i.e., synthetic zeolite). Results stemming from these reactive media has been compared with the outcomes related to the same test performed using zero valent iron which is the reactant usually employed for heavy metals remediation. All tested reactants exhibited important removal percentages, even larger than 90% in most cases, achieved in a contact time ranging between about 12 h and slightly longer than a day (i.e., 30 h). Maximum adsorption percentages are observed for pH ranging between 4 and 8 for all tested materials and contaminants. Our findings provided relevant evidence, to both researchers and technicians, on the competitiveness of the explored alternative mediums with respect to the classical reactants usually employed for heavy metals remediation.

Keywords: contaminants dynamics; batch test; zeolite; natural fibers; zero valent iron; heavy metals in groundwater (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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