ECU Engineering: Alginate Beads for Nitrate Removal from Groundwater

This research paper investigates the effectiveness of alginate beads in removing nitrate from contaminated groundwater, comparing it with other methods like reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and biological denitrification. The study focuses on the structure, production, and application of alginate beads, particularly the use of NZVI (nano zero-valent iron) implementation. It discusses the forces affecting alginate beads, such as CO2, CaCO3, and NaHCO3, and analyzes the efficiency of floating versus non-floating beads in nitrate adsorption. The report also includes a literature review of existing techniques for nitrate removal and highlights the potential of alginate beads as a natural and environmentally friendly alternative for water treatment, while also addressing the stability and performance factors, such as pH concentration and water hardness, that influence the effectiveness of the process. The research was conducted at Edith Cowan University.