Nitrate removal using natural clays modified by acid thermoactivation

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 253; no. 13; pp. 5762 - 5766
• Main Authors: Mena-Duran, C.J., Sun Kou, M.R., Lopez, T., Azamar-Barrios, J.A., Aguilar, D.H., Domínguez, M.I., Odriozola, J.A., Quintana, P.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 30-04-2007; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adsorption; BET; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Infrared and raman spectra and scattering; Infrared spectroscopy; Montmorillonites; Nitrates; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Other nonmetallic inorganics; Physics; Single-crystal and powder diffraction; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); X-ray diffraction; X-ray diffraction and scattering; Mexico, Yucatan; 61.10.Nz; BET; Infrared spectroscopy; 78.30.Hv; Montmorillonites; Adsorption; 81.20.Ka; X-ray diffraction; Nitrates; BET method; Thermal activation; Bentonite; XRD; Infrared spectra; Nitrates; Adsorption; Montmorillonites; Infrared spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction; BET; 61.10.Nz; 78.30.Hv; 81.20.Ka
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.12.103

Groundwater pollution by nitrates is a widespread problem in many locations in the world. The underground aquatic mantle of the Peninsula of Yucatan is highly vulnerable due to its karstic nature. Adsorption methods are a good choice for nitrate elimination. In this work, a natural calcium bentonite was modified by acid thermoactivation with HCl and H
2SO
4, and tested as a media for nitrate removal in an aqueous solution. The nitrate concentration in the solution was measured by FT-IR, using the Lambert–Beer law. Clay characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy; surface area was measured by the BET method.