Grantee Research Project Results
2000 Progress Report: Fundamental and Applied Chemistry Relevant to the Use of Humic Acids
EPA Grant Number: R828158Title: Fundamental and Applied Chemistry Relevant to the Use of Humic Acids
Investigators: Von Wandruszka, Ray
Institution: University of Idaho
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2002
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001
Project Amount: $188,697
RFA: Exploratory Research - Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics) (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Air , Safer Chemicals , Land and Waste Management
Objective:
The objective of the research project is to investigate the use of a bulk humic material?leonardite humic acid (LHA), commercially sold as a soil conditioner?for the detoxification of acid mine runoff polluted with heavy metals.Progress Summary:
We have studied both fundamental and practical aspects of LHA. In the fundamental work, we have determined: (1) the elemental composition; (2) the proportions of humic acid, fulvic acid, and humin; (3) some molecular structural features; and (4) the weak and strong acid contents. Importantly, we have conducted conductivity studies on LHA solutions to evaluate relative molecular sizes and overall acidities. This work is in progress, but appears to have possibilities for the study of humics well beyond LHA.
In the practical work, we have shown that solid LHA can be used for the quantitative removal (extraction) of zinc from both neutral and acidic mine runoff. We have established capacities, interferences and their remedies, influence of pH, and instrumental extraction parameters. We also have shown that certain anions are retained by solid LHA, while others are not (this work continues). We presently are working on the use of LHA-packed columns for the extraction of chlorinated solvents from water.
Future Activities:
We will continue our development work on novel conductimetric measurements of humic acid molecular size and acidity. When the technique is sufficiently refined, we will apply it to LHA and to LHA fractions generated by ultrafiltration.
We will fully develop the use of LHA as an extractant for chlorinated solvents in water. This involves sensitive analytical determinations at the parts-per-billion level. Subsequently, we will return to metal extraction, dealing with cadmium, lead, and copper in mine water.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 8 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
agriplus, column elution, tetrachloroethylene, conductance, Pinehurst Mining District., RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Water, Waste, Remediation, Restoration, Mercury, State, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Chemistry, mercury transport, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Bioavailability, Ecology and Ecosystems, humic acids, control technologies, contaminant transport, lead, contaminated mines, Montana , acid mine discharge, acid mine drainage, restoration planning, restoration strategies, Idaho (ID), acid mine runoff, alternative cleanup standards, metal release, polychlorinated biphenyls, dynamic light scattering, analytical chemistry, aquatic ecosystems, humic acid, PCBs, mercury concentrationProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.