The nano-Savior of Wastewater Treatments

By: Anthony Vasquez

Figure 1: Molecular processes (ie., electrostatic attraction, complexation, reduction, pore filling) that allow for Cr(IV) to be adsorbed by nWRTs (Hamadeen et al., 2022).

    In the everchanging world of science, new saviors of natural capita have been examined over the years. Among the many, Hamadeen et al. (2022) found residuals produced from wastewater treatments can be shrunk to make nano-water treatment residuals (nWTRs), capable of chromium (VI) removal. Based on nWTR adsorption, larger concentrations of Cr (VI) in wastewater and more acidic conditions promoted greater adsorption (Hamadeen et al., 2022). Specifically, since nWTRs are positively charged at or below a pH of 7.43, this allowed for attraction to negatively charged contaminants with Cr (IV) like dichromate. Further analyses by Hamadeen et al. (2022) suggests that hydroxide, aluminate, and iron hydroxide functional groups may have reinforced adsorption via complexes with nWTRs or reduction to Cr (III). Pore-filling was also suggested to support adsorption, as nWTRs have larger pores that allow intake of the smaller Cr ions. These findings were applied to a contaminated sample from a treatment plant which after processed, via batch and column, showed greater than 95% Cr (VI) removal efficiency by nWTR adsorption. Such advances environmental sustainability as it emphasizes the potential reuse of industrial byproducts to help eliminate contaminant concentrations within water. However, the costs involved are expenses in making nWTRs and contaminated nWTRs left behind, which would require a more extensive removal compared to normal wastewater residuals. With that said, nWTRs can be considered to combat Cr (VI) contaminated wastewater with a more efficient means of removal for post-adsorption byproducts, such as nWTRs with Cr (VI).

Reference

Hamadeen, H. M., E. A. Elkhatib, and M. L. Moharem. 2022. Optimization and mechanisms of rapid adsorptive removal of chromium (VI) from wastewater using industrial waste derived particles. Scientific Reports 12: 14174.

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