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Remediation of Ca, Cu, & Zn using Charcoal, Carbonate, and Phosphate substrates

Undergraduate #211
Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Water
Session: 2

Corneisja Harrison - Dillard University
Co-Author(s): Lovell Agwaramgbo, Dillard University



Remediation via adsorption process is one of the best water treatment technologies globally. Charcoal has been considered universal adsorbent for the removal of a variety of pollutants from water. Search for effective and low – cost adsorbents is of interest to researchers. Contamination by metals, especially, heavy metals pose serious health and environmental risks. Although Calcium (Ca), Copper (Cu)Ca, and Zinc (Zn) are micro nutrients, however, their excess leads to adverse health effects. Too much calcium can weaken your bones, cause kidney stones, hardness of water, and corrosion of water pipes. Excess copper causes miscarriages in women, mental and emotional havoc as well as skin, hair, and nail problems. Lastly, too much zinc cause vomiting, loss of appetite, and lower immunity. Therefore, this project compared the remediation of water contaminated by calcium, copper, and zinc using phosphate, carbonate and charcoal as adsorbents. Water contaminated by 1000 ppm of Ca, Cu, and Zn was treated with each of the substrates and agitated for 20 hr. at room temperature. The samples were centrifuged, and the liquid was analyzed using inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy by PACE Analytical lab. The results showed that phosphate and carbonate ion were more effective in removing Ca, Cu, and Zn from contaminated water.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Dillard University Chemistry Department

Faculty Advisor: Ruby Broadway, rbroadway@dillard.edu

Role: In my research, I made all of the measurements for the solutions required for the remediation process. I also did the background research prior to starting the research. Every trial and observation made was done by myself as well.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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