REMOVAL OF 2,4-DINITROTOLUENE FROM WATER USING SURFACTANT-MODIFIED ZEOLITE

The effectiveness of surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) in removing 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) from water was tested. 2,4-DNT is a known water contaminant and possible carcinogen. The chemical is found in large concentrations as an explosive residue from the production of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). This study was performed in hopes of finding an inexpensive and effective way of removing 2,4-DNT from water supplies. Surfactant-modified zeolite was prepared by combining the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) with a natural zeolitic tuff from the Winston deposit of southern New Mexico. The SMZ is an inexpensive sorbent (about $500/ton) that has been shown to sorb a variety of contaminant species from water. Kinetic studies were performed to determine the rate of sorption of 2,4- DNT by SMZ. Equilibrium sorption tests were then conducted to determine the extent and characteristics of 2,4- DNT sorption. It was found that the SMZ proved to be an effective sorbent for removing the explosive byproduct from water.