Rust in water: a solution for toxin removal.
Researchers Develop “Smart Rust” to Filter Toxins from Water Sources
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in water treatment by introducing a new method to filter toxins such as oil, estrogen, and microplastics. This innovative technique, known as “smart rust,” has the potential to revolutionize water purification processes.
By introducing specially treated rust into water and utilizing a magnet to extract it, a wide range of pollutants including oil, nano- and microplastics, as well as the herbicide glyphosate, can be effectively removed from water sources.
Targeting Estrogen Pollution
Leading the way in this groundbreaking research is Marcus Halik, a professor at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. Halik and his team have successfully developed a method to specifically target estrogen as a pollutant in water.
Estrogen pollution can originate from various sources, including urine from women who take birth control pills, livestock excrement, and sewage. The presence of estrogen in water has been linked to the “feminization of aquatic species” and has also been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women and infertility in men, according to the National Institutes for Health.
“Our ‘smart rust’ is not only cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but it is also recyclable,” Halik explained. “We have demonstrated its effectiveness in removing various contaminants, highlighting its potential to significantly enhance water treatment processes.”
How “Smart Rust” Works
The key to the success of this technique lies in modified microscopic particles, known as nanoparticles, present on the surface of the rust or iron oxide. Each layer of particles can be customized to attract and bind different substances, allowing for the targeted removal of specific pollutants from water sources using a magnet.
These particles possess a superparamagnetic form, meaning they are attracted to magnets but do not cluster together. This prevents any potential issues caused by particle clustering.
“Once we add a layer of molecules to the iron oxide cores, they resemble hairs protruding from the surface of these particles,” Halik explained. These “hairs” effectively trap the pollutant particles, enabling their removal from the water.
This technique has previously proven successful in eliminating crude oil, plastics, and pesticides from water sources. Now, with modifications, it has been adapted to target estrogens.
Despite the relatively low concentration of estrogens compared to other pollutants, researchers are confident that the large surface area of the nanoparticles will effectively attract estrogen in real-world water sources. Promising results have already been obtained in laboratory trials.
To learn more about this groundbreaking research, click here.
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