Influence of the interaction of calcium carbonate particles with surfactants on the degree of water pollution in small rivers

Authors

Petry Spataru, Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova
Francisco Fernandez, CUNY Hostos Community CollegeFollow
Joseph W. Sista, Columbia University
Tudor Spataru, Columbia University
Oxana Spinu, Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova
Igor Povar, Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-6-2017

Abstract

Introduction: The influence of the interaction of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and surface-active substances (SAS; surfactants) with different chain lengths and cationic and anionic hydrophilic centers has been analyzed.

Results: Laboratory simulations indicate reduced negative influences on cationic SAS nitrification/self-purification processes in the presence of anionic species. This suggests the role of complex ionic formation [anionic SAS * cationic SAS] as a cause of this effect. UV-Vis spectra of lauryl sulfate (LS) and of cetyltrimethylammonium (CTMA), as well as of their mixtures in ratios of 2:1 and 1:1, treated by fine particles of CaCO3, display decreased amounts of SAS in analyzed solutions and their presence on the surface of CaCO3 nanoparticles. UV-Vis spectra reveal the decomposition of the complex [anionic SAS (SAS-An) * cationic SAS (SAS-Ct)] in solutions when CaCO3 is added. CTMA can be bonded by LS through hydrophobic chains, on the surface of CaCO3 particles. Therefore, CaCO3 modifies the nature of LS and CTMA interactions. This leads to an increased degree of toxicity of cationic SAS in aquatic environment. The amounts of CTMA in aqueous solutions are diminished in the presence of ammonium ion NH4 + (2 mg/L). In the presence of two orders higher concentration of ammonium ion, this effect strongly increases, making the association obvious. The structure of cationic SAS does not influence this effect. The obtained results have been confirmed both by timed natural aquatic sample analysis and laboratory simulations using water from Moldovan small rivers (Isnovat, Raut, and Bic).

Conclusions: UV-Vis spectra and laboratory simulations demonstrate the change due to the addition of calcium carbonate. Simulations and laboratory tests of water samples from Isnovat, Bic, and Raut Rivers, establish the cationic SAS negative influence on treatment and self-purification processes.

Comments

This article was originally published in Ecological Processes, available at DOI: 10.1186/s13717-017-0086-4.

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.