The Characteristics of Limestone and Anthracite Coal as Filter Media in Treating Pollutants from Groundwater

Abstract

The performance of limestone and anthracite coal were evaluated for the removal of pollutants from groundwater. The physical and chemical properties of two filter materials were characterised through X-Ray diffraction (XRD), X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis showed that the main peaks of calcite (CaCO3) are the predominant phase of limestone, whereas quartz and graphite are the crystalline phase of anthracite coal. The presence of calcium oxide (CaO) as the major composition indicated that limestone demonstrates a good ability for cation exchange. FTIR spectrum analysis showed that the functional groups present on the limestone surface are mostly hydrophilic groups, and anthracite exhibits hydrophobic characteristic. Limestone has the potential to adsorb heavy metal pollutants, whereas anthracite has the capability to adsorb organic pollutants. Therefore, the two filter materials can be used as alternatives to remove pollutants in treating groundwater.

Bio-Based White Eggshell as a Value-Added Filler in Poly(Lactic Acid) Composites

“…The difference was thought to be due to the surface roughness of the samples where limestone had a rough surface compared to the smooth surface of calcite [44]. In addition, the surface of limestone has hydrophilic/polar functional groups (hydroxyl (O-H) groups and carbonyl (C=O) groups), which enable easier intake of water [45]. Although the wetting behavior favors limestone, the composites containing limestone fillers in the current study absorbed less water than those containing eggshell fillers.…”

Performance Evaluation of Various Filter Media for Multi-Functional Purposes to Urban Constructed Wetlands

“…On the other hand, Jayabalan et al (2020) reported that AC achieved removal efficiencies greater than 40% for BOD and COD, highlighting its effectiveness in adsorbing and reducing organic matter and pollutants [33]. Meanwhile, BS exhibited 38% to 67% removal of heavy metals from synthetic stormwater [34], whereas AT demonstrated the capability to adsorb organic pollutants due to its hydrophobic characteristics [35]. Overall, this analysis identified the unique contributions, potential advantages, and applications of the filter media evaluated in this study.…”

Mobility of Trace Elements During Remediation of Oil Polluted Groundwater: A Case Study of Al Batinah Region, Northeast Oman

“…The objective of this paper was to find out the levels of decontamination of metals that have been achieved as the contaminated or raw groundwater have gone through successive purification steps, beginning with the air bubbling process, followed by anthracite filtration, and finally by activated charcoal filtration. Air Sparging Procedure is considered as a fast, clean and economical technique [8][9][10]. Dvorak and Skipton [11] reported that Activated carbon (AC) filtration can reduce certain organic compounds and chlorine in drinking water as lead and dissolved radon and suggested that an AC filtration system should be selected based on water analysis.…”

“…Dvorak and Skipton [11] reported that Activated carbon (AC) filtration can reduce certain organic compounds and chlorine in drinking water as lead and dissolved radon and suggested that an AC filtration system should be selected based on water analysis. Anthracite is suitable for the adsorption of natural organic matter, because of functional groups present on its surface [9].…”