Effect of Humic Acid on the Nitrate Removal by Strong Base Anion Exchanger Supported Nanoscale Zero-valent Iron Composite

To probe the effect of common coexist substances on the nitrate removal by polymeric resin supported nanoscale zero-valent iron composite (D201-nZVI), humic acid (HA) was added into the nitrate removal system to elaborate the different interactions between each two and among all in the system including HA, nitrate, and D201-nZVI. The results showed that the effect of HA on the reduction of nitrate by D201-nZVI was concentration-dependent. At low HA concentration (< 5 mg/L), HA coating formed by the HA adsorption on the surface of the nZVI particles enhanced the dispersion of the particles, which led to a more evenly distribution of nZVI particles in the solution, and thus a higher nitrate reduction activity. When HA concentration was increased to 5 mg/L or more, the competitive adsorption of HA and NO₃⁻ on the surfaces of the D201-nZVI dominated, and the nitrate removal rate and ammonia nitrogen production were decreased. When the HA concentration reached to a further high level (> 20 mg/L), HA acted as an electron shuttle to accelerate the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) in the D201-nZVI, and thus the nitrate reduction rate was accordingly enhanced. The ammonia production increased by 24.8% at HA concentration of 40 mg/L as compared with that of the control (without addition of HA). This research elucidated the interaction of HA within different HA concentration in the complicate system of anions removal by organic support-nanoscale metal particle composite, which may shade some new light on the potential application of nanoscale zero-valent materials in the practical remediation of natural water.