Combined electron-beam and adsorption purification of water from mercury and chromium using materials of vegetable origin as sorbents

Combined electron-beam and adsorption method of purification of water from Hg(II) and Cr(VI) using materials of vegetable origin as sorbents was developed. It consists in the addition of materials of vegetable origin (e.g. cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, and wheat flour) into water, subsequent electron-beam irradiation, sedimentation and filtration of additives with captured Hg(II) or Cr(VI). The method is based on the synergistic effect of the combined action of irradiation and sorbent. The best results were obtained with the wheat flour. For example, the addition of 25 mg/l of the flour to the water containing 1 mg/l Hg(II) and irradiation with dose 1.1 kGy upon bubbling inert gas through the system led to the 98% removal of the pollutant. The possible mechanism of the processes causing the purification of water is discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.