The Use of Scallop Shell Powder as a Method of Extracting Strontium

Abstract

In Japan, scallop shells are considered to be industrial waste. Thus far, attempts for reusing these shells have been mainly limited to the commercial production of CaCO3. Nevertheless, there are no clear economic benefits associated with the use of scallop shells as a source of CaCO3. Hence, we are attempting to investigate a new value-added use for scallop shells as an advanced functional material. In this regard, we focused our attention on nuclear wastewater, which contains radioactive Sr and Cs. Sr, which tends to accumulate in bones, is believed to cause bone cancer. Hence, it is highly desirable to develop a method for removing Sr from contaminated water. In this study, we investigate whether scallop shells demonstrate the ability to remove Sr from a solution. From the results obtained, scallop shells can remove Sr solutes from a solution; furthermore, as compared to CaCO3, they demonstrate superior ability for removing Sr.

Influence of amorphous calcium carbonate on strontium ion removability from aqueous solution

“…It has been demonstrated that scallop shell powder from industrial waste, whose main component is calcium carbonate, can remove Sr 2+ from aqueous solutions. 7) However, the Sr 2+ removal mechanism has not been clarified, so it has not been put into practical applications. The purpose of this study was to obtain detailed basic knowledge about the Sr 2+ removal mechanism of scallop shell powder.…”

The Use of Scallop Shell Powder as a Method of Extracting Alkaline-Earth Metals

“…Therefore, we are attempting to find a new value added use for scallop shells as an advanced functional material. In previous experiments [3] , we have been trying to use calcined shell powder to extract alkaline metal and alkaline-earth metal from seawater. The tsunami of March 11, 2011, caused severe damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant.…”