Removal of Ammonium Ions from Fellmongery Effluent by Zeolite
N. S. Bolan,1 C. Mowatt,2 D. C. Adriano,3
and J. D. Blennerhassett1
1Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre, Institute of Natural
Resources, Massey University, New Zealand 2Resource Refineries
Ltd., Matamata, New Zealand
3Savannah River Ecol.ogy Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina,
USA
ABSTRACT
The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 in New Zealand
enforces statutory requirements for the disposal. of farm and industrial
wastewaters in ways that minimize environmental impacts. Wastewaters often
contain high concentrations of ammonium (NH4 +),
phosphate (H2PO4 -) and potassium (K+)
ions, and in some cases heavy metals. Zeolite is a naturally occurring,
porous and electrically-charged alumino-silicate mineral, which can be
used to adsorb cation and anion contaminants from wastewater.
SREL Reprint #2749
Bolan, N. S., C. Mowatt, D. C. Adriano and J. D. Blennerhassett. 2003. Removal of ammonium ions from fellmongery effluent by zeolite. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 34:1861-1872.
