A combination of ion exchange and mechanical methods as a new approach for remediation of water in reservoirs

Abstract

This study investigates a novel approach to enhance water quality in reservoirs by combining ion exchange and mechanical methods, including a floating barrier and a quartz sand gravel bed. The aim of the study was to verify the affinity of the Pure PA202 resin for nitrates (NO₃⁻), nitrites (NO₂⁻), and phosphates (PO₄³⁻) ions, as well as to assess the effectiveness of this combined method in removing nutrient contaminants, including changes in dissolved oxygen and chemical oxygen demand (manganese), from a segregated section of a large reservoir. The study employs a styrene-based hydrochloride resin (PA202) in an ion exchange process to remove anionic nutrients such as nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, and phosphate phosphorus from surface water. Results indicate a dependence between the sorption capacity of the resin and the valency of the targeted nutrient species, which highlights the importance of considering the chemical nature in water treatment strategies. Furthermore, the study integrates the floating barrier and the quartz sand gravel bed with ion exchange to achieve substantial reductions in nutrient concentrations within the reservoir. The quartz sand gravel bed effectively removes organic nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen, contributing to the overall reduction of nutrient levels with minimal financial expenditure. Considering pump expenditure and the achieved nutrient reduction, the operational costs of the Water Quality Improvement Installation, which incorporates both ion exchange resin and quartz sand gravel filter, remain acceptable. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into innovative water treatment methods, highlighting the importance of integrating ion exchange with mechanical methods for sustainable water management practices in reservoir environments.