Oxidizing Agents Testing for the Intensification of the Biological Components of the Iron and Manganese Removal from Water

Abstract

Background. Iron and manganese groundwater are found in almost all regions of Ukraine. The concentration of these elements varies within a very wide range, and in some regions it is 20–30 mg/dm3 for iron and 2–3 mg/dm3 for manganese. The high content of these compounds in water impairs its organoleptic characteristics, leads to the formation of color films and precipitation and, therefore, to overgrowing water supply systems, water intake valves, sanitary products. That is why the improvement of existing or development of new iron and manganese removal technology remains an important issue of our time.Objective. The aim is to test the effect of oxidizing – ozone and hydrogen peroxide – on the efficiency of iron and manganese removal from water.Methods. The studies were conducted in laboratory columns filled with zeolite from Sokirnitskyi deposit fraction 1–4 mm. Columns are settled with pure cultures of microorganisms Leptothrix, as well as mixed cultures Leptothrix and Sphaerotillus. Model solutions of different compositions were passed through the columns, before treated with ozone (1 mg/dm3) and hydrogen peroxide solution (1 mg/dm3).Results. The addition of low concentrations of oxidizing agents intensifies the process of iron and manganese removal by pure and mixed cultures of bacteria which can remove iron and manganese (up to 98 %). These results confirm the fact that the removal of iron and manganese from water is intensified biological component of the process, rather than chemical-physical.Conclusions. Conclusions regarding that the ozonation is efficiency for iron and manganese removal from water. Considerable increase in removal efficiency of iron and manganese from solutions treated with ozone. Technologically the process is convenient to implement ozonation before filter loading settled with bacteria capable of oxidizing iron and manganese.