Date of Award

2017

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Civil Engineering

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

College

Engineering

Faculty Advisor

Bezbaruah, Achintya N.

Description

Wastewater effluents and agricultural runoff are major sources of phosphorus overloading in surface waters. Phosphorus overloading ignites eutrophication, which devastates aquatic ecosystems. On the other hand, phosphorus, which is currently produced from phosphate rock, is a critical component of fertilizer mixes. However, the world is predicted to face a shortage of phosphate supply beyond 2033 due to unsustainable mining. This research aims to develop a polymeric sorbent that recovers low-concentration phosphorus for eutrophication prevention and fertilizer reuse. Available polymer-based products have underwhelmed expectations by having poor selectivity or lacking appropriate biodegradation rates. This research identified molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as possible sorbents for overcoming the deficiencies of reported technologies. Screening of several MIPs resulted in one potentially feasible MIP for phosphate sorption. Further studies showed a sorption capacity of ~28 mg PO43--P/g and partial phosphate-selectivity. Potential phosphate removal mechanisms were identified, providing foresight into MIPs’ viability as phosphorus sorbents.

Rights

NDSU Policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28417

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