Perchlorate Chemistry: Implications for Analysis and Remediation

Abstract

Abstract:Since the discovery of perchlorate in the ground and surface waters of several western states, there has been increasing interest in the health effects resulting from chronic exposure to low (parts per billion [ppb]) levels. With this concern has come a need to investigate technologies that might be used to remediate contaminated sites or to treat contaminated water to make it safe for drinking. Possible technologies include physical separation (precipitation, anion exchange, reverse osmosis, and electrodialysis), chemical and electrochemical reduction, and biological or biochemical reduction. A fairly unique combination of chemical and physical properties of perchlorate poses challenges to its analysis and reduction in the environment or in drinking water. The implications of these properties are discussed in terms of remediative or treatment strategies. Recent developments are also covered.

Perchlorate in sewage sludge, rice, bottled water and milk collected from different areas in China

“…It mostly exists in the form of ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate and sodium perchlorate, which are used as solid rocket oxidant and ignitable source in munitions and fireworks, or used in roadside flares and in air bag inflation systems (Urbansky, 1998). Naturally occurring perchlorate has been found in nitrate deposits in Chile (Orris et al, USGS OpenFile Report, 2003;Environmental news, 2001).…”

Perchlorate Behavior in a Municipal Lake Following Fireworks Displays

“…Perchlorate salts are highly soluble in water and perchlorate ions weakly adhere to mineral and organic surfaces (6)(7)(8)(9); thus, abiotic attenuation pathways of perchlorate are frequently considered to be unimportant. Attenuation of perchlorate in the environment, however, can be effectively mediated by microaerophilic or anaerobic microorganisms that transform ClO4…”

“…Perchlorate-reducing organisms can use a variety of organic carbon substrates as electron donors, such as glucose, acetate, vegetable oils, and natural organic carbon compounds present in soils and sediments (6,8,14,15). Biological transformation of perchlorate has been successfully utilized for drinking water treatment (16)(17) and for in situ groundwater remediation (18)(19)(20)(21).…”

Construction of a novel highly selective potentiometric perchlorate sensor based on neocuproine–Cu(II) complex formed in situ during the conditioning period

“…Perchlorate (ClO 4 − ) is a primary constituent of solid phase rocket fuel, missiles, fireworks [1][2][3], explosives and air bag inflators [3], and was also found in some food products [4], soils [5], fertilizers [6], plants [7] and human urines [8]. Perchlorate salts have also been used in the treatment of patients with hyperactive thyroid glands [9] and as a thyreostatic drug and growth promoter in cattle fattening [10].…”