Decontamination of solutions containing EDTA using metallic iron

Photocatalytic mechanism conversion of titanium dioxide induced via surface interface coordination

Photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants is a promising pollution treatment technology from the aspect of carbon neutrality. The complex diversity of actual wastewater components, as opposed to single-component systems, can significantly affect photocatalytic mechanisms. In this study, complex pollutant systems were created using various coordinating agents, and the effects of P25 on the photocatalytic removal of methyl orange (MO) in these systems and corresponding photocatalytic mechanism were investigated. The results show that photocatalytic removal of MO by P25 using ligands is significantly more efficient, especial removal of MO by the EDTA-P25 (P-E_2.5) coordination system resulted dramatically improved MO removal (97.4% versus 12.3% achieved by pure P25 after 15 min), with the reaction rate improved 23.8-fold. Theoretical calculations show that the effective coordination bonds formed by the coordinating agent and Ti atoms reduce the adsorption energy of P25 for MO. In addition, introduction of the coordinating agent EDTA reduces the transition state energy during the MO degradation process and greatly accelerates the reaction rate, and the conduction band position of the EDTA-P25 coordination system shifts to a more negative potential, which induces to the generation of •O₂^- for effective MO degradation.

Fate of metal-EDTA complexes during ferrihydrite aging: Interaction of metal-EDTA and iron oxides

The widespread presence of ferrihydrite in the environment makes many contaminants including metal-EDTA complexes being adsorbed on it. However, the fate of metal-EDTA complexes during the transformation of ferrihydrite was poorly understood. Understanding the migration and speciation changes of metal-EDTA adsorbed on ferrihydrite during the transformation was helpful to predict its fate in some natural and engineering environments. In this work, the interaction of the two metal-EDTA complexes (Ni(II)-EDTA and Ca(II)-EDTA) and ferrihydrite during the 9-day transformation of ferrihydrite at different pH values was studied. The results showed that part of EDTA complexing metals changed to non-complexed metals during the ferrihydrite transformation, which was due to the fact that metal in the metal-EDTA exchanged with Fe(III) on ferrihydrite. Besides, different speciation of metal ions migrated during the transformation of ferrihydrite. Meanwhile, Fe(III)-EDTA formed in this process, and the exchange of metal in Ca(II)-EDTA with Fe(III) in ferrihydrite was faster than that of Ni(II)-EDTA. Besides, the presence of metal-EDTA affected the transformation rate of ferrihydrite under neutral and alkaline condition, and metal-EDTA accelerated the dissolution of ferrihydrite to form goethite. Therefore, ferrihydrite and metal-EDTA influenced each other during the transformation of ferrihydrite. The results of this work revealed that the process of metal-EDTA dissolving ferrihydrite not only included the dissociation of metal-EDTA, but also involved the migration of metal ions and affected the transformation of ferrihydrite.

Effect of Chelant-Based Soil Washing and Post-Treatment on Pb, Cd, and Zn Bioavailability and Plant Uptake

The remediation of Pb, Cd, and Zn contaminated soil by ex situ EDTA washing was investigated in two pot experiments. We tested the influence of (i) 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%wt zero-valent iron (ZVI) and (ii) a combination of 5%wt vermicompost, 2%wt biochar, and 1%wt ZVI on the metal availability in EDTA-washed soil using different soil extracts (Aqua regia, NH₄NO₃) and plant concentrations. We found that EDTA soil washing significantly reduced the total concentration of Pb, Cd, and Zn and significantly reduced the Cd and Zn plant uptake. Residual EDTA was detected in water extracts causing the formation of highly available Pb-EDTA complexes. While organic amendments had no significant effect on Pb behavior in washed soils, an amendment of ≥ 1%wt ZVI successfully reduced EDTA concentrations, Pb bioavailability, and plant uptake. Our results suggest that Pb-EDTA complexes adsorb to a Fe oxyhydroxide layer, quickly developing on the ZVI surface. The increase in ZVI application strongly decreases Zn concentrations in plant tissue, whereas the uptake of Cd was not reduced, but even slightly increased. Soil washing did not affect plant productivity and organic amendments improved biomass production.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11270-021-05356-0.

Decomplexation and subsequent reductive removal of EDTA-chelated Cu II by zero-valent iron coupled with a weak magnetic field: Performances and mechanisms

The feasibility of EDTA-chelated Cu(II) (Cu(II)-EDTA) removal by zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) in the presence of a weak magnetic field (WMF) and the involved mechanisms were systematically investigated. Fe(0) combined with WMF (Fe(0)/WMF) was very effective for removing Cu(II)-EDTA at pH 4.0-6.0 with the rate constants ranging from 0.1190 min(-1) to 0.0704 min(-1). Little passivation of Fe(0) was observed during Cu(II)-EDTA removal by Fe(0)/WMF in 8 consecutive runs when 10.0 mg L(-1) Cu(II)-EDTA was dosed before the initiation of each run. The evidences presented in this study verified that Cu(II)-EDTA was removed by decomplexation followed by reduction/adsorption. In brief, Fe(II) released from Fe(0) corrosion was rapidly oxidized by oxygen to Fe(III) to chelate with EDTA and release free Cu(II), and the detached Cu(II) ions were subsequently reduced/removed by Fe(0)/Fe(II) and co-precipitated by the generated iron (hydr)-oxides. To advance the application of Fe(0)/WMF technology in real practice, a magnetic propeller agitator was designed to offer WMF inside the reactor, which could greatly improve Cu(II)-EDTA removal by Fe(0) and be easily amplified.

Adsorption and degradation processes of tributyltin and trimethyltin in landfill leachates treated with iron nanoparticles

Biotic and abiotic degradation of toxic organotin compounds (OTCs) in landfill leachates is usually not complete. In this work adsorption and degradation processes of tributyltin (TBT) and trimethyltin (TMeT) in leachate sample treated with different iron nanoparticles (FeNPs): Fe(0) (nZVI), FeO and Fe3O4 were investigated to find conditions for their efficient removal. One sample aliquot was kept untreated (pH 8), while to the others (pH 8) FeNPs dispersed with tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) or by mixing were added and samples shaken under aerated conditions for 7 days. The same experiments were done in leachates in which the pH was adjusted to 3 with citric acid. Size distribution of TBT and TMeT between particles >5 µm, 0.45-5 µm, 2.5-0.45 µm, and <2.5 nm was determined by sequential filtration and their concentrations in a given fraction by gas chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS). Results revealed that most of the TBT or TMeT was present in fractions with particles >2.5 or <2.5 nm, respectively. At pH 8 adsorption of TBT to FeNPs prevailed, while at pH 3, the Fenton reaction provoked degradation of TBT by hydroxyl radicals. TBT was the most effectively removed (96%) when sequential treatment of leachate with nZVI (dispersed by mixing) was applied first at pH 8, followed by nZVI treatment of the aqueous phase, previously acidified to pH 3 with citric acid. Such treatment less effectively removed TMeT (about 40%). It was proven that TMAH provoked methylation of tin, so mixing was recommended for dispersion of nZVI.

Degradation of p-chloroaniline by FeO3−xH3−2x/Fe0 in the presence of persulfate in aqueous solution

Sulfate radical based advanced oxidation processes are promising techniques for the removal of organic compounds in aqueous solutions.

Nanoscale zero-valent iron for the removal of Zn2+, Zn(II)-EDTA and Zn(II)-citrate from aqueous solutions

The parameters which influence the removal of different zinc (Zn) species: Zn(2+), Zn(II)-EDTA and Zn(II)-citrate from aqueous solutions by nanoparticles of zero-valent iron (nZVI) were investigated at environmental relevant pH values. Untreated, surface modified and silica-fume supported nZVI were applied at different iron loads and contact times to Zn solutions, which were buffered to pH 5.3, 6.0 and 7.0. The results revealed that pH, the type of nZVI, the iron load, the contact time, and the Zn species all had a significant influence on the efficiency of removal. Zn(2+), Zn(II)-EDTA and Zn(II)-citrate were the most effectively removed from aqueous solutions by untreated nZVI. Zn(2+) removal was governed mainly by adsorption onto precipitated iron oxides. Complete removal of Zn(2+) and Zn(II)-citrate was obtained at all pH values investigated. The removal of strong Zn(II)-EDTA complex was successful only at acidic pH, which favored degradation of Zn(II)-EDTA. Consequently, the released Zn(2+) was completely removed from the solution by adsorption onto iron oxides.

Degradation of some typical pharmaceuticals and personal care products with copper-plating iron doped Cu2O under visible light irradiation

A mixture of five commonly used pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) was degraded using a new combined catalyst under visible light irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the combined catalyst was composed of copper-plating iron doped Cu2O (FeCu/Cu2O). Compared with the Fe/C inner micro-circuit, the electric currents flowing between Cu and Fe increase the speed of anodic Fe dissolution. Moreover, due to the photochemical properties, Cu2O can accelerate the PPCPs degradation processes under the irradiation of visible light. In addition, shaking increased the dissolved oxygen concentration in the solution, which not only preconditioned the photo-catalysis reaction, but also set the stage for Fe reduction. According to the experimental results, we propose the possible reaction mechanism of the reaction.

Experimental design of application of nanoscale iron-nickel under sonication and static magnetic field for mixed waste remediation

In this paper, the degradation of simulated mixed organics commonly found in nuclear waste streams was studied under a combined influence of sonication and magnetic field. Nanoscale bimetallic iron-nickel was used as source of Fenton reaction. The data were fitted to obey second order kinetics. The extent of degradation followed the trend: TBP-EDTA-citric acid greater than TBP-EDTA, greater than TBP alone. The influence of the three variables that govern degradation behaviour viz. sonication energy, magnetic field and time were evaluated with response surface methodology. The model could predict the ratio of total organic carbon content to a maximum error of only ∼ 6%.

Comments on "Decontamination of solutions containing Cu(II) and ligands tartrate, glycine and quardol using metallic iron" [J. Hazard. Mater. (175 (2010) 452-459)]

This letter presents ways for an improved discussion of the data provided in a recent article on aqueous removal of Cu(II) complexes from aqueous solutions using metallic iron (Fe(0)) by Gyliene and his co-workers. It is shown that the authors have furnished another brilliant validation of the concept that adsorption onto iron corrosion products and co-precipitation with iron corrosion products are the fundamental mechanisms of dissolved contaminant removal in Fe(0)/H(2)O systems.

Decontamination of solutions containing Cu(II) and ligands tartrate, glycine and quadrol using metallic iron

Decontamination of solutions containing Cu(II) complexes with tartrate, glycine and quadrol (N,N,N'N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine) using metallic iron depends on pH and proceeds best in mildly acidic solutions. Cu(II) is completely removed from all solutions containing the ligands investigated. The degree of ligand removal from solutions considerably differs. Tartrate is relatively rapidly and completely removed from solutions. A complete removal of glycine is prolonged. The removal of quadrol from solutions using metallic iron is negligible. Electrochemical investigations showed that tartrate and glycine have inhibitory influence on anodic dissolution of iron at pH 2 and enhance it at pH 4. Quadrol does not exhibit any significant influence on iron dissolution. Chemical analysis and FT-IR investigations have shown that the content of organic compounds is the greatest in the precipitate formed in solutions containing tartrate, while it is considerably lower in glycine containing solutions. The precipitate formed in quadrol-containing solutions during the treatment with metallic iron contains only negligible amount of organics.

Exploring the influence of operational parameters on the reactivity of elemental iron materials

In an attempt to characterize material intrinsic reactivity, iron dissolution from elemental iron materials (Fe(0)) was investigated under various experimental conditions in batch tests. Dissolution experiments were performed in a dilute solution of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Na(2)-EDTA - 2mM). The dissolution kinetics of 18 Fe(0) materials were investigated. The effects of individual operational parameters were assessed using selected materials. The effects of available reactive sites [Fe(0) particle size (<or=2.0mm) and metal loading (2-64 g L(-1))], mixing type (air bubbling, shaking), shaking intensity (0-250 min(-1)), and Fe(0) pre-treatment (ascorbate, HCl and EDTA washing) were investigated. The data were analysed using the initial dissolution rate (k(EDTA)). The results show increased iron dissolution with increasing reactive sites (decreasing particle size or increasing metal loading), and increasing mixing speed. Air bubbling and material pre-treatment also lead to increased iron dissolution. The main output of this work is that available results are hardly comparable as they were achieved under very different experimental conditions. A unified experimental procedure for the investigation of processes in Fe(0)/H(2)O systems is suitable. Alternatively, a parameter (tau(EDTA)) is introduced which could routinely used to characterize Fe(0) reactivity under given experimental conditions.

Increase in the ozone decay time in acidic ozone water and its effects on sterilization of biological warfare agents

The sterilization properties of ozone in acidic water are investigated in this study. Acidification of water increases the ozone decay time by several times compared to the decay time in neutral water, thereby enhancing the sterilization strength of ozone in acidic water. A simple analytical model involving the viable microbial counts after contact with acidic ozone water was derived, and a sterilization experiment was conducted on bacterial cells using the acidic ozone water. The acidic ozone water was found to kill very effectively endospores of Bacillus atrophaeus ATCC 9372, thereby demonstrating the potential for disinfection of a large surface area in a very short time and for reinstating the contaminated environment as free from toxic biological agents.