• Nitrate Reduction by Fe(0)/iron Oxide Mineral Systems: A Comparative Study using Different Iron Oxides
  • Song, Hocheol;Jeon, Byong-Hun;Cho, Dong-Wan;
  • Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University;Department of Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University;Department of Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University;
  • 영가철과 여러 가지 산화철 조합공정을 이용한 질산성질소 환원에 관한 연구
  • 송호철;전병훈;조동완;
  • 세종대학교 환경에너지융합학과;연세대학교 환경공학부;연세대학교 환경공학부;
Abstract
This paper presents the feasibility of using different iron oxides (microscale hematite (HT), microscale magnetite (MT), and nanoscale maghemite (NMH)) in enhancing nitrate reduction by zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) under two solution conditions (artificial acidic water and real groundwater). Addition of MT and NMH into Fe(0) system resulted in enhancement of nitrate reduction compared to Fe(0) along reaction, especially in groundwater condition, while HT had little effect on nitrate reduction in both solutions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis showed association of MT and NMH with Fe(0) surface, presumably due to magnetic attraction. The rate enhancement effect of the minerals is presumed to arise from its role as an electron mediator that facilitated electron transport from Fe(0) to nitrate. The greater enhancement of MT and NMH in groundwater was attributed to surface charge neutralization by calcium and magnesium ions in groundwater, which in turn facilitated adsorption of nitrate on Fe(0) surface.

Keywords: Zero valent iron (Fe(0));Iron oxide;Nitrate;Groundwater;Electron mediator;

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This Article

  • 2014; 19(1): 63-69

    Published on Feb 28, 2014

  • 10.7857/JSGE.2014.19.1.063
  • Received on Jan 10, 2014
  • Revised on Jan 21, 2014
  • Accepted on Jan 22, 2014