Kinetics of the remediation of arsenic contaminated groundwater using nanoscale magnetite particles

CHED 322

Aaron R. Isley, aaron-isley@utulsa.edu1, Greg R. Medders, greg-medders@utulsa.edu1, Parameswar Hari, hari@utulsa.edu2, and Gordon H. Purser, gordon-purser@utulsa.edu1. (1) Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 600 S. College Ave., Tulsa, OK 74104, (2) Department of Physics, University of Tulsa, 600 S. College Ave., Tulsa, OK 74104
Arsenic is toxic and is very difficult to remove from groundwater. One potential method of remediation of As-contaminated groundwater involves using magnetite nanoparticles. Magnetite particles absorb arsenic from contaminated solutions and then can be removed from the water to leave behind an As-free solution. Bench-top experiments have been performed using nano-scale magnetite particles and well-characterized As-containing solutions. The kinetics of the reaction has been followed in order to determine the conditions under which the adsorption is most effective. Given the high surface area to volume ratio of nano-scale particles this method of water treatment may be cheaper and/or more efficient than current methods of remediation.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Nanotechnology
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

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