Characterization of water commercial filters based on activated carbon for water treatment of the Tumbes river – Peru

Comercial activated carbon samples (A, B, C, and D) used in filters for the treatment of water were characterized and evaluated in the decontamination of heavy metals present in river water and in the elimination of coliform microorganisms. The carbon samples had microporous and mesoporous structure...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Carmen Rosa Silupú García, Rosa Liliana Solís Castro, Gerardo Juan Francisco Cruz Cerro, Mónica Marcela Gómez León, José Luís Solis Veliz, Riitta L. Keiski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2017-09-01
Series:Revista Colombiana de Química
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/rcolquim/article/view/62146
Description
Summary:Comercial activated carbon samples (A, B, C, and D) used in filters for the treatment of water were characterized and evaluated in the decontamination of heavy metals present in river water and in the elimination of coliform microorganisms. The carbon samples had microporous and mesoporous structures. Surface areas of between 705 and 906 m2/g were found. The carbons samples were amorphous and the presence of antibacterial agents such as Ag, Cl, Cu, and Si was detected. It was determined that for As and Pb, whose initial concentrations in contaminated water (water of the Tumbes river-Peru) were 56.7 and 224.0 μg/L, respectively, the percentage of adsorption was close to 100%. The relationship between point of zero charge pH of the activated carbons and pH of the river water during the experiments plays a determinant role in the adsorption of the analyzed elements. The antibacterial capacity was evaluated satisfactorily against the following strains of fecal gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (ATCC® 25922™), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC® 14028™), and Shigella flexneri (ATCC® 12022™). This ability is based on the surface presence in the carbons of the mentioned antibacterial agents.
ISSN:0120-2804
2357-3791