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Base-treated juniper fiber media for removing heavy metals in stormwater runoff

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The viability of base-treated juniper fiber (BTJF) media for removing toxic heavy metals (Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+) in stormwater runoff was investigated. The sorption ability ofthe BTJF for all metals was much higher than that of untreated juniper. The affinity sequence of both materials, BTJF and untreated juniper, was Pb > Cu > Zn ≥ Cd. This order is explained by the hydrolysis constants for each metal. A metal desorption and column regeneration test using 0.1 M nitric acid showed that the metal sorption capacity declined slightly from 136.3 to 119.2 µmole/g in the first two cycles and then more significantly at the third and fourth regeneration, 72.3 and 83.1 µmole/g, respectively. Based on the hydraulic conductivity test of BTJF of different size classes, it can be deduced that there is no major headloss-related disadvantage in using BTJF instead of sand as stormwater filter media if the particle size of the BTJF is similar to that for sand.

Keywords

filter, heavy metal, hydraulic conductivity, juniper, stormwater

Citation

Min, S.-H.; Eberhardt, Thomas; Min, Jang. 2007. Base-treated juniper fiber media for removing heavy metals in stormwater runoff. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies Vol. 16, No.5 2007, 731-738
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/31646