Sodium chloride-activated polymeric ferric sulfate-modified natural zeolite (Z-Na-Fe): Application of bio-slow filtration for the removal of ammonia and phosphorus from micro-polluted cellar water

• Published in: Journal of water process engineering Vol. 61; p. 105367
• Main Authors: Zhou, Tianhong, Zhai, Tianjiao, Ma, Jinye, Wu, Fuping, Zhang, Guozhen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2024
• Subjects: Biological slow filtration; Micropolluted water; Modification; Natural zeolite; Phosphorus; Natural zeolite; Modification; Micropolluted water; Phosphorus; Biological slow filtration
• ISSN: 2214-7144; 2214-7144
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.105367

In rural areas, inhabitants utilize water cellars to store natural rainwater for drinking, and bio-slow filtration emerges as a fitting approach for treating such small-scale, minimally contaminated drinking water sources. In this study, sodium chloride-activated polymeric ferric sulfate-modified natural zeolite (Z-Na-Fe) was synthesized by impregnation and applied to degrade simulated micropolluted cellar water in bio-slow filtration. The slow filtration column required only 25 d to complete the natural membrane hanging and had the best purification effect and stability. It maintained an average removal rate of 82.81 % for ammonia nitrogen and 77.30 % for phosphorus during the stable operation. The modifications involving sodium chloride and polymerized iron sulfate enhanced zeolite adsorption and increased microbial diversity in the slow filtration column. This study proposes a feasible solution for rural drinking water treatment. •Z-Na-Fe zeolite has better ammonia nitrogen and phosphorus removal ability.•Z-Na-Fe filter column has a better purification effect on micro-polluted water.•Z-Na-Fe filtration column has a more stable water quality.•Possible mechanisms of pollutant removal by Z-Na-Fe zeolite are proposed.