Abstract
A number of studies recently reported the use of zero-valent iron (ZVI) for removing different classes of pollutants from water/wastewater. In the present study, the performance of zero-valent iron-modified sand filters for the treatment of greywater was evaluated using long-duration tests. Two filters, SF(nail) and SF(scrap) were modified by introducing 10 kg of iron nails and iron scrap, respectively, while SF was the unmodified filter. Each filter was fed daily once with 20 L of settled real greywater. Results showed that while both the modified filters performed significantly better than SF, SF(scrap) gave the best performance among the filters. SF(scrap) reduced about 91% turbidity, 87% suspended solids, 72% BOD, 72% COD, 73% ammonia-N (NH4-N), 99.57% (2.36 log) total coliforms and 99.58% (2.38 log) faecal coliforms, respectively. Performance of SF(scrap) in terms of bacterial removal was better by at least one log unit throughout the filter operation compared to SF. The effluent from SF(scrap) was less sensitive to variations in influent quality, and it could meet different reuse standards. The study indicates the potential of ZVI-modified sand filter to treat low to medium strength greywater at a decentralized level.
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Kumar, A., Ahammed, M.M. & Shaikh, I.N. Zero-valent iron-modified sand filters for greywater treatment. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 20, 5183–5196 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04222-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04222-8