Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID ND-2025-Bezbaruah-2

Phosphate Removal from Water Using Calcium Peroxide Nanoparticles

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $12,396 Total Non-Federal Funds: $14,398

Principal Investigators: Achintya Bezbaruah

Project Summary: High phosphate concentrations in water bodies, primarily from agricultural runoff, trigger algal blooms and impair aquatic ecosystems, necessitating efficient removal strategies. This research leverages calcium peroxide (CaO?) nanoparticles as an advanced adsorbent for phosphate reclamation. The proposed study aims to optimize pilot work and explore its scalability. Objectives include refining synthesis for maximal capacity, quantifying kinetics (pseudo-second-order model) using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and ion chromatography, and elucidating molecular mechanisms with ORCA (quantum chemistry) and GROMACS (molecular dynamics). Beyond water treatment, CaO? nanoparticles exhibit potential as slow-release phosphorus fertilizers, enhancing sustainability. This work seeks to mitigate eutrophication in North Dakota's waters while repurposing recovered phosphorus, advancing nanotechnology-driven solutions for water quality and resource recovery.