• Question: Do different metals take out specific poisons in water? Could you give any examples?

    Asked by to Hattie on 19 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Harriet Aitken

      Harriet Aitken answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      Hi Flyn07,

      I usually just work with iron, as it is very effective and also pretty cheap as it is one of the most common metals on earth. My project is focused on removing arsenic, but iron can also be used to remove nitrates, phosphates and some organic pollutants. There are many different ways you can use iron – many people are working on developing very small iron particles, nano particles , that have a very high surface area and so are able to remove a greater concentration of contaminants.

      Other metals, like aluminium can also be used to remove chemicals like arsenic. Aluminium, in the form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) known as activated alumina can also be used, but you have to manufacture this so although it might be effective under certain conditions you will always have to pay to make it, while in the case of scrap metal the cost for production has already been made which helps to keep costs low!

      Hattie

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