Abstract |
Excessive amounts of phosphorus, introduced by the activities of man, contribute to the accelerated eutrophication experienced in many of our natural waters. The feasibility was studied of using ion exchange techniques, perhaps in a new way, to effect a reduction in the phosphorus levels of natural waters. A study of the ion exchange characteristics of phosphate species in the presence of chloride as a competing ion was completed. A similar study using sulfate as the competing ion is nearing completion at the present time and is briefly discussed. Over the pH range of natural waters, the phosphate species undergoing exchange is HP04 2-. With chloride as the competing ion the electroselectivity principle applies; with sulfate a similar phenomenon occurs due to the base strength of the HP04 2- ion. Kinetic studies of the exchange process indicate that it is the HP04 ion concentration which is rate controlling and this ion migrates through the resin-solution interface. Ion exchange removal of phosphate from natural waters is feasible and should be investigated further with field studies. (WRSIC abstract) |