Irena Korus

Metal contamination of farming soils affected by industry

The contents of nine elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn) have been assayed in the farming soils of Suszec commune (southern Poland). This area is affected by the main industrial centre of Poland (the Upper Silesian Industrial Region), the Czech Republic (Trzyniec smelter) and local contamination sources (coal mine). The contamination of the soils was assessed on the basis of geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, contamination factor and degree of contamination. The tests revealed elevated contents of cadmium, lead, arsenic, antimony and mercury. The contents of the other elements were similar to the levels in the Earths crust or pointed to metal depletion in the soil (EF<1).

Application of the hybrid complexation-ultrafiltration process for removal of metal ions from galvanic wastewater

Abstract This paper presents a possibility of removing Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions from model and real galvanic wastewater applying the hybrid complexation-ultrafiltration process. The complexing agent applied in the research was Instar AS which contained polyacrylic acid. In order to separate the formed metal complexes, porous membranes made from polycaprolactam were used. The most favourable ratio between the concentrations of the complexing agent and the metal ions and optimum pH were determined applying model solutions. The process of concentration of real wastewater was characterized by good effectiveness and enabled an 85–97% retention of the metal present in the wastewater.

Removal of zinc and nickel ions from aqueous solutions by means of the hybrid complexation–ultrafiltration process

Abstract This paper presents the possibility of removing metal ions by applying the hybrid complexation–ultrafiltration process. The research was conducted on model solutions containing Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions. The complexing agent applied in the research was sodium polyacrylate. To separate the formed polymer–metal complexes, porous membranes made from polysulfone were used. Ultrafiltration of the model wastewater containing metal ions aimed at finding an optimum ratio between the concentrations of the complexing agent and metal, and determining the most favourable pH value. The ratio between polymer and metal concentrations was changed in the range 10:1–100:1. In the case of both examined metals, the complexation–ultrafiltration process was most effective at a 10-fold excess of the polymer with respect to the metal. The pH value was adjusted over the range 2–10 using HNO3 and NaOH solutions. An increase in alkalinity brought about an improvement in the effectiveness of the separation process. To remove metal ions from water solutions, the concentration process was carried out according to the previously determined polymer:metal ratios, and at optimum pH. The permeate obtained comprised 90% of the initial volume of the feed. The process was characterized by good effectiveness and enabled a 97–99% retention of the metal present in the feed solution. The retentate separated during the concentration process was subjected to decomplexation–ultrafiltration. High concentrations of the metals obtained in the permeates after decomplexation indicate the possibility of an effective separation of metal ions from the complexing polymer.

Galvanic Wastewater Treatment by Means of Anionic Polymer Enhanced Ultrafiltration

Galvanic Wastewater Treatment by Means of Anionic Polymer Enhanced Ultrafiltration This work is focused on polyelectrolyte enhanced ultrafiltration as an effective heavy metal separation technique. Three types of effluents, containing Zn(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions, were subjected to the separation process. Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) - PSSS, a water soluble anionic polyelectrolyte was used as a metal binding agent. Two Sepa® CF (Osmonics) membranes: EW, made of polysulfone and a modified polyacrylonitrile membrane MW, were used in the ultrafiltration process. The preliminary UF tests were carried out on model solutions with target metal ion concentrations of 10, 100 and 250 mg dm-3. The main parameters affecting the metal retention (the polyelectrolyte quantity and solution pH) were examined. The values of pH 6 and polymer : metal concentration ratio CPSSS : CM = 7.5 : 1 (mol of mer unit per mol of metal) were selected to perform the galvanic wastewater ultrafiltration-concentration tests. Three types of wastewater containing Zn(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions within the concentration range of 30÷70 mg dm-3 were used in the investigations. Very high metal retention coefficients, up to > 99%, were achieved. The retentates obtained were subjected to the decomplexation-ultrafiltration (pH = 1) and subsequent diafiltration step, which enabled partial recovery of concentrated metal ions and the polyelectrolyte. The recovered polyelectrolyte was reused toward Ni(II) ions and the high effectiveness of metal separation has been achieved. Obróbka ścieków Galwanicznych Z Wykorzystaniem Ultrafiltracji Wspomaganej Anionowym Polielektrolitem Zaprezentowano możliwość zastosowania ultrafiltracji wspomaganej działaniem polielektrolitu do separacji jonów metali z roztworów wodnych. Do badań wykorzystano roztwory modelowe o zawartości Zn(II), Cu(II) i Ni(II) w zakresie 10÷250 mg dm-3 oraz 3 rodzaje ścieków galwanicznych, z których każdy zawierał jeden z wymienionych jonów metali o stężeniu 30÷70 mg dm-3. Metale wiązano za pomocą poli(4-styrenosulfonianu sodu) - PSSS, co umożliwiało ich retencję na membranie ultrafiltracyjnej. Badania wstępne, wykonane na roztworach modelowych, miały na celu dobór głównych parametrów decydujących o efektywności procesu: stosunku stężeń polimer : metal oraz pH roztworu. Badania właściwe obejmowały ultrafiltracyjne zatężanie ścieków z zastosowaniem wybranych wartości stosunku stężeń polimer : metal (7,5 : 1) oraz pH (pH = 6). Uzyskano wysokie wartości współczynników retencji metali, powyżej 99%. Zatężone retentaty zakwaszono do pH = 1 w celu rozerwania połączeń polimer-metal oraz poddano kolejnemu procesowi ultrafiltracji z następującą po nim diafiltracją, co umożliwiło częściowy odzysk zatężonych metali oraz polielektrolitu. Zregenerowany polimer, po korekcie pH, został ponownie wykorzystany w procesie separacji jonów Ni(II), a obserwowane rezultaty nie odbiegały od wyników uzyskanych przy użyciu polimeru świeżego.