Memorial University DAI: Removal of arsenic from Newfoundland water using impregnated peat

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Title	Removal of arsenic from Newfoundland water using impregnated peat
Author	Rageh, Osama.
Description	Thesis (M.Eng.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2009. Engineering and Applied Science
Date	2008
Pagination	xiv, 138 leaves : ill.
Subject	Groundwater--Arsenic content--Newfoundland and Labrador; Peat--Utilization--Newfoundland and Labrador; Water--Purification--Adsorption--Newfoundland and Labrador; Water--Purification--Arsenic removal--Newfoundland and Labrador;
Degree	M.Eng.
Degree Grantor	Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Discipline	Engineering and Applied Science
Language	Eng
Notes	Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-138).
Abstract	Arsenic exists naturally and it is the 20th most abundant element in the earth's crust. The high Arsenic concentration in some of Newfoundland water sources could be due to the oxidation of Arsenic bearing minerals by the heavy precipitations and rain fall all over the year. Arsenic is carcinogenic and the United States Environmental protection agency and the Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines limit set is 10 μg/l of Arsenic in drinking water. The main objective of this research was to find a cheap, efficient, and locally available material in Newfoundland that could remove Arsenic from water. Peat is an abundant material in Newfoundland, however, functional groups, which are the main constituent of peat do not react with Arsenic species. To improve peat properties, Fe was used to impregnate peat, react with the functional groups, get oxidized, and the impregnated Fe hydroxide and oxyhydroxide could then adsorb Arsenic. To detect the properties of horticultural peat, characterization tests were carried out for the untreated and impregnated peat. In addition, batch and column studies were conducted to test the peat capacity for Arsenic adsorption before and after impregnation. It was found that peat impregnated with 0.54 M ferrous chloride (Fe 0.54-Peat) was the best adsorbent and it could reduce the Arsenic level from 60 μg/l to less than 10 μg/l. A total of 9 liters were treated with Fe 0.54-Peat in a continuous flow system to a level below this one. The pH increased with the duration of the experiments, as conditions gradually become more reducing and the pH was the main factor controlling the Arsenic adsorption between pH 3 to 5. The two suggested mechanisms responsible for adsorption are inner sphere complex and coadsorption or a mix between ion exchange and complexation.
Type	Text
Resource Type	Electronic thesis or dissertation
Format	Image/jpeg; Application/pdf
Source	Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries
Local Identifier	a3242091
Rights	The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
Collection	Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Scanning Status	Completed
PDF File	(15.49 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Rageh_Osama.pdf
CONTENTdm file name	69923.cpd