Solid phase extraction of uranium removal from underground water, Wadi Naseib, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

Water from well in Wadi Naseib is contaminated with uranium (4 mg/l). The maximum uranium concentration in drinking water is 0.009 mg/l as assigned by World Health Organization in 1998, thus this water increases drinking water limit nearly 500 times. It is characterized by high concentrations of carbonaceous matters and heavy metal ions reflecting the geochemical characterization of the surrounding rocks of black shale and dolomite. Removal of uranium was performed using commercial and synthetic adsorbents with respect to its effect on human health. Resins used were DOWEX 21K 16/20 type (commercial resin) and polyacrylamidoxime acrylic acid divinylbenzene PAm/AA (synthetic resin). DOWEX 21K 16/20 type is suited for mineral processing and groundwater remediation applications. PAm/AA has high capacity and selectivity for uranium and recovered it from low grade solutions. It was safe and suited for groundwater treatment.

Keywords:

• Groundwater treatment
• Uranium contamination
• Wadi Naseib
• Organic sorbents