Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Removal of Arsenic from Groundwater Using Naturally Occurring Iron Oxides in Rural Regions of Mongolia
EPA Grant Number: SU833934Title: Removal of Arsenic from Groundwater Using Naturally Occurring Iron Oxides in Rural Regions of Mongolia
Investigators: Gao, Di , Mccord, Edward L , Monnell, Jason
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2008 through April 1, 2009
Project Amount: $9,999
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2008) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Chemical Safety , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
These students contributed to this project: Brian J. Novicki, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Liangliang Cao, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Bradley Harden, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Allison Hahn, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University Honors College, University of Pittsburgh
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Conclusions:
In Phase I of the project, we have designed and developed the process and device for effective removal of arsenic from groundwater. Water treated by this process satisfies the WHO’s drinking water guideline value. We estimate the cost of each device is below $5 and, once made, it can be used for at least 20 years. Because the process can be completed by one person in the household without the use of electricity or gasoline and the price of iron oxide particles in Mongolia is about $30/ton (or 1.3 cents/pound), the operational cost is estimated to be less than 0.05 cent/gallon water. This process is affordable to the household in Mongolia. With successful development of the device prototype, a field test will be conducted this summer in Mongolia through collaboration with our partners in China and Mongolia.- Scale up the manufacturing process with the aim of limiting the device cost to be less than $5 and the operational cost to be less than 0.05 cent/gallon water.
- Test the device and process in the Southern Gobi region of Mongolia.
- Manufacture and disseminate 1,000 devices to households.
- Improve the public awareness of arsenic contamination in Mongolia.
- Establish through this project a lifespan of learning and contributions to the nation of Mongolia well beyond the two years of EPA funding.
We will meet these objectives upon (i) the success in device and process development of our Phase I project, (ii) our established partnership with the local research institute who has provided safe drinking water to more than 50,000 rural residents in the past 10 years, and (iii) the unique strength of the Mongolia Field Studies Program developed over many years by the University of Pittsburgh Honors College (UHC).
Specifically, we will (i) conduct field study in the Southern Gobi region of Mongolia through our partnership with the National University of Mongolia, (ii) scale up the device manufacturing process through our collaboration with Shenyang Institute of Environmental Science, (iii) disseminate the device to 1,000 households in Inner and Outer Mongolia with the assistance of Tsinghua University (China) and the National University of Mongolia, (iv) educate American and Mongolia students on the enhanced sustainable environmental awareness and problem-solving capabilities in a real life setting of political and social challenge through our Mongolia Field Studies Program.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 3 publications | 1 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Cao A-M, Monnell JD, Matranga C, Wu J-M, Cao L-L, Gao D. Hierarchical nanostructured copper oxide and its application in arsenic removal. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2007;111(50):18624-18628. |
SU833934 (Final) |
Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
groundwater, water purification, arsenic removal, hematite, magnetite, magnetic pumpRelevant Websites:
Our EPA project is highlighted by America.gov, a website of U.S. Department of State. The article is entitled: "Universities Collaborate to Improve Water Quality in China--Inexpensive arsenic removal process uses 'people power,' not electricity". This article has been translated into 3 languages:
- English version: http://www.america.gov/st/envenglish/2008/December/20081217120617abretnuh5.016273e-02.html?CP.rss=true
- Chinese version: http://www.america.gov/st/healthchinese/2008/December/20081219110711abretnuh0.2219049.html
- Mongolian version: http://www.america.gov/st/envpersian/2008/December/20090101140533abretnuh0.2015802.html
Our project is also listed as the 1st example of EPA award-winning projects in another highlighted article "U.S. College Students Offer Innovations in Global Sustainability" on America.gov: http://www.america.gov/st/envenglish/2008/December/20081217120535abretnuh0.4711529.html&distid=ucs
University Honors College Mongolia Field Studies Program: http://www.abroad.pitt.edu/pantherprograms/uhcmongolia.html#prog
The 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.