Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Environmental Engineering
Rachael Miera - University of New Mexico
Co-Author(s): Jose M. Cerrato, University of New Mexico; Nabil Shaikh, University of New Mexico; Abdulmehdi S. Ali, University of New Mexico
The presence of emerging organic micropollutants in natural water sources has become a concern due to their effects on environmental health. Few studies have been done on the use of manganese oxides [MnOx(s)] and flow through columns for the treatment of these emerging micropollutants. Manganese oxides can be low cost alternative for water treatment because of their abundance in the environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the water treatment applications of manganese dioxide (MnO2) and granular activated carbon (GAC) media for the removal of the micropollutants caffeine and paracetamol. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses was used to measure organic compounds in solution. Laboratory scale flow through column experiments were performed using different combinations of commercial MnO2 and GAC to assess the removal efficiencies of caffeine and paracetamol, as well as the adsorption of these organic compounds onto the medias, and the reduction dissolution of manganese. Results from HPLC analyses indicate that effective removal of these micropollutants was obtained through these experiments. Analyses of manganese (Mn) in solution was conducted using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) to assess the dissolution of MnOx(s) during the experiments. The results of this investigation are relevant for implementation of MnOx(s) in large-scale water treatment processes due to the low cost of these mineral oxides. The research contributes to a better understanding of the effectiveness of alternative applications for the removal of micropollutants in water treatment.
2018 ERN Abstract Rachael Miera.docxFunder Acknowledgement(s): This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1345169. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Faculty Advisor: Jose Cerrato, jcerrato@unm.edu
Role: I conducted the preliminary steps to the experiment, including the obtaining of materials and set up. I conducted the flow through column experiments and collected samples for analyses with the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). I helped with set up the HPLC by calibrating the instrument and analyzed the samples with this instrument. I obtained the results from the HPLC and ICP, and conducted an analysis of the results. From there, I drew the conclusions presented.