A method for preconcentrating Zr from large volumes of seawater using MnO 2-impregnated fibers

Abstract

A method for preconcentrating Zr from large volumes of seawater using MnO 2-impregnated fibers is described. The manganese dioxide-impregnated fibers were synthesized from polypropylene cartridge filters by a redox reaction between KMnO 4 and MnCl 2. Seawater samples were introduced into an extraction system and Zr was extracted from the samples by the MnO 2-impregnated fibers. Zirconium was recovered from the fibers through two steps of elution into aqueous solutions and measured by inductively coupled argon plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The average extraction efficiency for Zr was 59% on a single pass of 50–1000 l sample at flow rates of 8.1–15 l min −1, and 100% on continuous circulation of 200 l sample at 15 l min −1. The results indicate that Zr can be rapidly and easily preconcentrated onto MnO 2-impregnated fibers from large volumes of seawater. This simple method can be applied to the preconcentration of trace dissolved Zr in natural water and removal of radiozirconium from radioactive waste fluid.