EFFICIENT REDUCTION OF NITRITE BY STRUCTURAL Fe(II) IN MONTMORILLONITE

A reduction operation by iron-borne clay mineral has been introduced as a worthy mechanism to mitigate nitrite (NO2-) concentrations in anoxic zones. Reduction/oxidation reactions in subsurfaces often transform from anoxic circumstances to oxic conditions due to the actions of nature and man-made performance. The study elucidates that NO2- can be effectively oxidized by oxygenated and reduced montmorillonite (SWy-2) under neutral pH conditions. The reduction of nitrite was achieved after the first 30 minutes of the reaction, and the amount of Fe(II) consumed for the nitrite reduction decreased with time of reaction, while the byproducts of the reaction increased with the alteration of nitrite over time. According to our estimates, the amount of Fe(III) that was reduced by almost 70% was stated as a percentage of the production of pure Fe(II). From a sustainability perspective, oxidation of NO2- is applicable when the oxidized iron-borne clay mineral is reduced by chemicals. This recently developed concept may be considered eligible for other reduction/oxidation reactions that effectively reduce active pollutants.

Automated summary

This study introduces the use of iron-borne clay mineral as a reduction agent to mitigate nitrite (NO2-) concentrations in anoxic zones. The research found that oxygenated and reduced montmorillonite (SWy-2) can effectively oxidize nitrite under neutral pH conditions. The reduction of nitrite occurred within the first 30 minutes of the reaction, with the amount of Fe(II) consumed decreasing over time and the byproducts increasing. This concept of oxidation of nitrite through reduced iron-borne clay mineral may be applicable to other reduction/oxidation reactions that reduce active pollutants effectively.