Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2009RI80B

Nanosilver-clay composite material as a reactive permeable barrier to control microbiological and chemical contamination in groundwater

Institute: Rhode Island
Year Established: 2009 Start Date: 2009-03-01 End Date: 2010-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $17,096 Total Non-Federal Funds: $37,767

Principal Investigators: Vinka Oyanedel-Craver

Abstract: Rhode Island’s ground water resources are one of the state’s most valuable natural resources supplying drinking water to as much as 100% of its population in large parts of the state. This one-year water quality project builds on the expertise of its team members and will directly benefit the people of Rhode Island, e.g. by safely enhancing water supply from contaminated ground water resources. This project will develop and evaluate a water filter made of composite material produced by combining local clay materials and silver nanoparticles. This filter will be primarily designed to treat microbiological contaminants such as E. coli, but will also be tested for its removal efficiency for inorganic and organic compounds, including iron and petroleum hydrocarbons all of them detected in many private wells in Rhode Island. The results of these tests will be used to design a water filter application suitable for use in private homes. This project builds on the previous work of the research team and carries the promise for future funding of extensions of this project.