Premium
Mineralogical Characteristics and Cationic Exchange Properties of a Zeolite Mineral from Romana, NW Sardinia, Italy
Author(s) -
Fercia Maria L.,
Lonis Roberto,
Peretti Roberto,
Sau Antonio,
Serci Antonello,
Zucca Antonio
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
resource geology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1751-3928
pISSN - 1344-1698
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-3928.2008.00077.x
Subject(s) - calcite , zeolite , clinoptilolite , ion exchange , cationic polymerization , geology , mineralogy , cation exchange capacity , mordenite , quartz , mineral , selectivity , chemistry , ion , paleontology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , soil science , soil water , catalysis
An investigation was conducted into the Tertiary ignimbrite formations in the Romana area in NW Sardinia. Scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive spectrometry indicated the presence of clinoptilolite and subordinate smectite, quartz, mordenite and calcite. Laboratory analyses of representative samples collected from the deposit indicated a cation exchange capacity ranging from 85 to 135 mEq per 100 g. Ion exchange experiments conducted in flasks containing different initial cation concentrations and in columns supplied with solution having constant cation concentration, showed different selectivity towards the cations examined, in the order: NH 4 + > Pb 2+ > Cd 2+ > Cu 2+ > Zn 2+ > Mn 2+ > Ni 2+ . Compared to the untreated material, under the experimental conditions used and considering the eluate, and the Italian regulatory limits for discharge into surface waters, the zeolite treated with a 1‐N NaCl solution yielded a 1.3–5‐fold increase in the volume of treated water, depending on the cation examined. The experimental results obtained show that the cationic exchange properties of the zeolite rock from the Romana deposit are comparable with the average quality of zeolites currently imported into Italy from non‐European countries.