Contaminants removal by bentonite amended slow sand filter

• Published in: Химия и технология воды
• Date: 2013
• Main Authors: Sudhakar M. Rao, Malini, R., Lydia, A., Young Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Інститут колоїдної хімії та хімії води ім. А.В. Думанського НАН України 2013
• Subjects: Физическая химия процессов обработки воды
• Online Access: https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/130749
• Journal Title: Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
• Cite this: Contaminants removal by bentonite amended slow sand filter / Sudhakar M. Rao, R. Malini, A. Lydia, Young Lee // Химия и технология воды. — 2013. — Т. 35, № 1. — С. 43-53. — Бібліогр.: 19 назв. — англ.

Earlier studies have indicated that variability in size, surface texture and charge greatly influence the contaminant removal process in granular media. Based on surface characteristics of montmorillonite, it is anticipated that small addition of this clay would increase adhesion sites for bacterial growth and extracellular polymer production in slow sand filter and thereby enhance its contaminant removal ability. Experiments were performed by permeating groundwater conta-minated with pathogens (total coliform and E. Сoli) and inorganic contaminants through bentonite amended slow sand filter (BASSF). Surprisingly, the BASSF retained inorganic contaminants besides pathogens. Water-leach tests (pH of water leachate ranged from 2 to 9) with spent BASSF specimen indicated that the inorganic contaminants are irreversibly adsorbed to a large extent. It is considered that the combined effects of enhanced - organic matter mediated adhesion sites and increased hydraulic retention time enables the BASSF specimen to retain inorganic contaminants. It is envisaged that BASSF filters could find use in treating contaminated groundwater for potable needs at household and community level.