On using clay and nanoclay ceramic granules in reducing lead, arsenic, nitrate, and turbidity from water

Abstract

New technology has provided a cheap and abundant access to nanoclay which has more prominent and efficient properties than clay. The aim of this research was a performance review of clay and nanoclay granules for the purpose of improving physicochemical as well as biological quality of water. To this end, clay granules and a 50% composition of clay and nanoclay with an average of a 5-mm diameter were made and placed in the 1000 °C furnace for 7 h. 150 g of any kind of granule was put in a closed system with presence of 300 ml of sample of synthesized contaminated water for 24 h. Then, heavy metals (lead and arsenic), anions (nitrate), turbidity, electrical conductivity and microbial contamination (coliforms) were measured. The clay and nanoclay granules had adsorbed the lead, respectively, with 0/4 and /44 mg/l by 80% and 88% yield. They have been almost effective in declining nitrate, arsenic, turbidity, and electrical conductivity, though ineffective in removal of microbial contamination. The results show that the adsorption yield for nanoclay is much higher than that for clay.