Research Brief 356: Pyrite Improves Electrochemical System for Removing a Chemical Mixture

https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/srp/researchbriefs/view.cfm?Brief_ID=356&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery Adding a common mineral, pyrite, to an electrochemical system can simultaneously remove organic and heavy metal contaminants from groundwater, according to a study funded in part by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP). Led by Akram Alshawabkeh, Ph.D., researchers at the Northeastern University SRP Center found that combining two types of remediation techniques – one that relies on applying an electrical current to destroy contaminants and one that uses minerals to adsorb contaminants – removed pollutants more effectively than either strategy alone. The heavy metals tested and removed by the combined approach were arsenic and chromium. The antibacterial compound sulfanilamide was also tested and removed. Emerging persistent pollutants, such as those used in the study, can leach into groundwater and are difficult to remove. In particular, the metals are linked to a variety of negative health outcomes, such as liver damage and several cancers.