Green recovery of mercury from domestic and industrial waste

Abstract

Recovery of mercury from effluents is fundamental for environmental preservation. A new, green method was developed for separation of mercury from effluent containing different metals. The extraction/separation of Hg(II) was studied using aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) comprising by polyethylene oxide (PEO1500) or triblock copolymers (L64 or L35), electrolyte (sodium citrate or sodium sulfate) and water in the presence or absence of chloride ions. The extraction behavior of the Hg(II) for the macromolecule-rich phase is affected by the following parameters: amount of added extractant, pH, and the nature of the electrolyte and macromolecule of the ATPS. The APTS of PEO1500+sodium citrate+H2O (pH 1.00 and 0.225 mol kg(-1) KCl) produced the highest Hg(II) %E=(92.3 ± 5.2)%. Under the same conditions, excellent separation factors (1.54×10(2)-3.21×10(10)) for recovery of mercury in the presence of co-existing metals were obtained. Efficient and selective extraction of Hg(II) from domestic and industrial synthetic effluents was achieved using this ATPS.

Liquid–Liquid Equilibrium Data and Thermodynamic Modeling for Aqueous Two-Phase System Peg 1500 + Sodium Sulfate + Water at Different Temperatures

“…The liquid−liquid extraction (LLE) using aqueous two phase system (ATPS) is a versatile technique for the extraction and purification of biomolecules such as proteins, 1,2 enzymes, 3 metals, 4,5 phenolic compounds, 6 and others. 7,8 Several works were found to determine the liquid−liquid experimental data for polymer−salt systems.…”

“…The liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) using aqueous two phase system (ATPS) is a versatile technique for the extraction and purification of biomolecules such as proteins, , enzymes, metals, , phenolic compounds, and others. , …”

Square‐wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Method for Novelty Detection of Bismuth Extracted by Aqueous Two‐phase Systems

“…In order to obtain more effective, low-cost and mainly sustainable separations, ATPS emerges as an alternative to conventional liquid-liquid extraction [19]. This separa-tion system can be used in different types of analytes: metals [20], biomolecules [21], drugs of abuse [22], drugs [23] and dyes [24]. ATPS is a widely used tool for studying solutions and obtaining phase diagrams [25], and has been gaining notoriety for separating different analytes in complex samples, as well as for recovering metals from secondary sources, such as: copper and cobalt from lithium-ion batteries [26], lanthanum from NiÀ MH batteries [27], cadmium and nickel from NiÀ Cd batteries [28], zinc and manganese from alkaline batteries [29] and yttrium from fluorescent lamps [30].…”

System for mercury preconcentration in natural waters based on a polymer inclusion membrane incorporating an ionic liquid

“…Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal naturally present in the environment, and is considered a global pollutant given that it has been released into atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as a result of human activity [1]. Hg occurs in the environment in different chemical forms, but the mercuric ion (Hg 2+ ) is the one that presents high cell toxicity [2] and can be transformed into methylmercury (MeHg + ) that tends to bioaccumulate and biomagnify through aquatic trophic chains [3]. Given its high toxicity and hazardous effects on wildlife and human health [4], monitoring it in aquatic ecosystems has become a requirement for environmental purposes.…”