Comparison between nitrate and pesticide removal from ground water using adsorbents and NF and RO membranes

An investigation was carried out regarding the removal of pollutants such as nitrate and pesticides (atrazine, deethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine) from actual ground water samples obtained in Slovenia, by the use of two new adsorption resins, one derived from styrenedivinylbenzene and one from polystyrene, and commercial nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes. Atrazine and deethylatrazine were also bound to the activated carbon. Despite the different technologies applied, the effort was directed towards simultaneous removal of the above-mentioned pollutants. According to the results, the first of the mentioned adsorption resins was successfully used for pesticides’ removal among the tested adsorption media, whereas the removal of nitrates was unsuccessful. The reverse osmosis membrane displayed a high rejection of all compounds. All concentration values after treatment were below the maximum concentration allowed, while the nanofiltration membrane showed lower compound rejection, thus being suitable for atrazine removal.