Estudi d’eliminació de diferents metalls en aigües naturals utilitzant l’adsorbent Adsorbsia As600

Abstract

The natural chemical elements Chromium, Nickel, Copper, Cadmium and Lead are considered heavy metals. These chemical elements are in the earth's crust. They are obtained from many industries that use metals for their activity. The increase in concentrations of these compounds is due, mainly, to point pollution of industrial or mining origin. These chemical elements are related to environmental degradation, low water quality, different human diseases and can cause the death of humans at very high doses. Heavy metals are, for the most part, toxic to humans. Its main characteristic is bioaccumulative (the body cannot eliminate them). For this reason, the concentration of this chemical elements allowed by current legislation (RD 140/03) in waters for human consumption is very small. The project proposal is the study of a titanium adsorbent, called Adsorbsia As600, for the reduction or elimination of metals in water. Adsorption tests show efficiency in the elimination of metals such as Chromium, Lead, Cadmium, Copper but not in the case of Nickel. It is a very selective removal technique. Changes in the capacity of the adsorbent related to the pH or eluent used can be observed. The use of this technology permits to extract metals from natural waters, even if its concentration is very low. In this case, it has been proven in Girona