Application of natural zeolite clinopitolite in reduction of nitrate from certain groundwater resources of drinking water of Gorgan city, Iran

Natural zeolite clinoptiolite containing wide range of applications in medical sciences and environmental problems. Nowdays, Natural zeolite clinoptiolite could be used for elimination of pollutants. On the basis of chemical analysis, among of drinking water resources of Gorgan city, one of these ground water resources with nitrate concentation of 53.7 mg/l in northern part of Gorgan city has been selected. In this research, for reduction of nitrate in laboratory condition from this well with higher than standard, natural zeolite clinoptiolite has been used. The results indicate that natural zeolite caused reduction of nitrate at about 13mg/lit and also reduction of hardness by passing 1 lit. Water through zeolitic bed (at about 1kg) at lag time of 30 minutes. The pH of the raw water was 7.5 after passing through zeolitic bed became 7.3. In addition, the harness of raw water was 670 mg/l which in 40 grms zeolite and lag time of 10 minutes; the hardness could be reduced 85 mg/lit. While if used zeolite weight to be 160 grams and lag time 30 minutes will be caused that hardness to be reduced at about 175 mg/lit. Therefore it could be suggested that natural zeolite clinopitolite could be used for reduction of nitrate from contaminated water wells in the all over the country.