Ewa Stępień has been awarded the NCN PRELUDIUM funding for a research project: Sequestration of arsenic from waters by precipitation of mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl – a basic study for the novel technology. This project proposes a novel method for arsenic sequestration from contaminated solutions that integrates into a mobile treatment setup, offering efficient and cost-effective solution. The study aims to explore a previously under-researched pathway for arsenic removal by precipitation of insoluble crystalline mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl. The novelty rests also in application of Pb-activated clinoptilolite as an environmentally safe source of Pb for the reaction. This novel approach is paving the way for the development of mobile As-removal systems for quick response to sudden arsenic contamination accidents. The working principle of the solution stems from a well-known and patented method of Pb immobilization by precipitating insoluble lead apatite.
