Experimental Study on Betterment of Water Containing Mineral Pollution in the Area along the Watarase River (Report 3)

• Published in: Transactions of The Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage and Reclamation Engineering Vol. 1969; no. 28; pp. 29 - 34
• Main Authors: OTANI, Toshihito, NISHIGUCHI, Takeshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage and Rural Engineering 1969
• ISSN: 0387-2335; 1884-7234
• DOI: 10.11408/jsidre1965.1969.28_29

As described in the preceding reports, various measures have been taken to prevent and remove copper poisoning in the Watarase River with their respective drawbacks preventing satisfactory results from being obtained. A basic experiment was conducted on a method of filtration by means of river sand, which represents one of the most economical and permanent remedies for copper poisoned water. The results of the experiment have revealed the following facts: 1. About 80% of the total amount of copper contained in the river water can be removed by sand filtration. 2. Sand filtration is not less effective than the use of zeolite, bentonite and limestone known for strong adsorption of metallic ions as filter mediums. 3. Sand filtration can remove water soluble copper as well as insoluble copper. 4. The result of differential thermal analysis of the film on the filter layer has indicated that allophane, gibbsitic minerals and quartz are contained in the river water. 5. The successful removal of water soluble copper by sand filtration may be ascribed to the removal by filtration of colloidal clay and humus which have adsorbed copper ions contained in the river water.