Sorption of aqueous Hg(II) by machinawite (FeS)

ENVR 36

Jianrong Liu, jliu7@lsu.edu1, Kalliat T. Valsaraj, valsaraj@lsu.edu1, Istvan Devai, idevai@lsu.edu2, and R. D. Delaune2. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, South Stadium Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, (2) School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Because of the low solubility of mercury sulfides compared to FeS, FeS has a great affinity to remove Hg(II) from solution. The interaction between aqueous Hg(II) (added as HgCl2) and synthetic FeS was studied via batch sorption experiments conducted under anaerobic conditions.

The comparison of X-ray power diffraction (XRPD) patterns of synthetic FeS sorbent before and after sorption showed that the major products formed from the interaction between FeS and the aqueous Hg(II) were metacinnabar, cinnabar and mercury iron sulfides. With the addition of FeS at 0.4 g/L to a 1 mM Hg(II) solution with an initial pH of 5.6, Fe2+ release was approximately 0.77 mol Fe2+ per mol Hg(II) removed, suggesting that 77% of Hg(II) was removed via precipitation reaction under these conditions, with 23% of Hg(II) removed by adsorption. Aeration does not cause significant release of Hg(II) into the water phase.

 

Advances in Adsorption Processes for Drinking Water Treatment and Sourcewater Protection
1:30 PM-5:10 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 236, Oral

Division of Environmental Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008