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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Commodity Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #288048
Title: Use of almond shells to treat water contaminated with almond tree nematicide in an energy efficient way

Author
item Klasson, K Thomas
item Ledbetter, Craig
item Lima, Isabel
item Uchimiya, Sophie

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2012
Publication Date: 4/7/2013
Citation: Klasson, K.T., Ledbetter, C.A., Lima, I.M., Uchimiya, S.M. 2013. Use of almond shells to treat water contaminated with almond tree nematicide in an energy efficient way [abstract]. The Cornucopia. Spring 2013. American Chemical Society, Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, p. 64.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations to a maximum of 0.2 µg/L in drinking water. DBCP was primarily used as an unclassified nematicide and its use contaminated some groundwater in nearby agricultural communities. Here, we describe the performance of activated biochars made via pyrolysis and steam activation of almond shells, available locally in proximity to contaminated areas, in removing DBCP. The pyrolysis can be made energy efficient by recovering evolved gases. The specific surface area was approximately 360 m2/g of biochar, with much of the surface in micropores. Results showed that regardless of the background composition (deionized water or well water) the loading capacities were similar. We installed activated biochar columns at a field site in California and operated the system for 6 months, treating water to drinking water standards. A column breakthrough curve was collected and mathematically modeled.