Contaminants removal by bentonite amended slow sand filter

Rao, SM and Malini, R and Lydia, A and Lee, Y (2013) Contaminants removal by bentonite amended slow sand filter. In: JOURNAL OF WATER CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY, 35 (1). pp. 23-29.

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Abstract

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 the slow sand filter and thereby enhance its contaminant removal ability. Experiments were performed by permeating groundwater contaminated with pathogens (total coliform and E. Coli) and inorganic contaminants through the 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.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	JOURNAL OF WATER CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY
Publisher:	ALLERTON PRESS INC
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to the ALLERTON PRESS INC, USA.
Keywords:	environment; granular materials; pollution
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Civil Engineering
Date Deposited:	09 Apr 2013 09:59
Last Modified:	09 Apr 2013 09:59
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/46324

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