Section
Physical Sciences
Abstract
Natural zeolites are minerals characterized by a framework of alumino-silicate whose structure contains channels occupied by water and exchangeable cations. The common known zeolites which occur in sedimentary rocks of volcanic origin include analcime, clinoptilolite, heulandite laumontite, philipsite, chabazite, erionite and mordenite. The zeolites have been studied in detail on their physical and chemical propertied. The ability of zeolite minerals like clinoptilolite to remove Cs-137 and Sr-90 from radioactive waste waters and to remove ammonium ions from municipal waste waters has been a milestone for zeolites to be applicable in pollution control. In Tanzania, zeolites occurrences have been reported in tuffaceous and non-tuffaceous sediments in the Olduvai Gorge in Arusha and Chamoto and Njelenje in Mbeya region. Zeolitic materials from Mbeya region have been tested and classified as agro-geological materials that are capable of adsorbing nitrogenous compounds from fresh cow dung. Their applications for pollution control have not been experimented in Tanzania. However, similar studies can be carried out in order to understand their ability to remove ammonium ions and heavy metals from the municipal waste waters which pose environmental problems in fresh water and marine ecosystems. In this context, this paper highlights the applications of zeolites in pollution control by reviewing previous research work from other countries.
Recommended Citation
MAKWEBA, M.M.
(1995)
"Natural zeolites for pollution control an overview,"
Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 21:
Iss.
1, Article 8.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.2426
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
