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Background & Objectives: groundwater is considered as one of the most important sources for drinking water supply. Groundwater pollution is an important problem in many parts of the world and nitrate being the most common chemical contaminants in groundwater. High levels of nitrate in groundwater lead the ground water sources to be unusable. The objective of this study was to investigate the nitrate removal from groundwater using aluminum powder. Methods: In this research, the possibility of nitrate removal from groundwater was studied using aluminum powder with 200-100 mesh size. Study was done in 250 ml bottles at temperature range of 20-25ċ. Nitrate concentrations determined using a spectrophotometer at 220 and 275 nm. All experiments were triplicate and the average of results was reported. Results: The results of this study indicated that nitrate removal efficiency increases with increasing pH and adsorbent dose in a batch system. Maximum nitrate removal efficiency of 52% was achieved at 50 min contact time, pH of 10, and initial nitrate concentration of 100 mg/l as N. Nitrate removal efficiency increased by 20% when the concentration of aluminum powder increased from 0.5 to 1 g/L. Conclusion: This method is recommended for removal of nitrate contamination from groundwater to be used for drinking and industrial purposes due to relatively low cost, ease of technique, safety and effectiveness of the method applied.

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Background & Objectives: High concentration of aluminum in drinking water may cause adverse health effects. But adding phosphate compounds after coagulant can reduce the concentrations of residual metals. The aim of this study was to apply phosphate compounds to remove residual aluminum resulting from water coagulation process. Methods: In this research, Jar tests were used to investigate residual Al removal by use of phosphate compounds in conventional and enhanced coagulation and to determine its affecting parameters. Phosphate compounds were added during rapid mixing. Dosage of alum in conventional coagulation test was 10 mg/l and the tests were done at different temperatures (i.e. 35, 22, and 5o C) and pHs (i.e. 8.5, 7.5, 6.5, and 5.5). For enhanced coagulation tests, alum at dosages of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/l were applied in different pHs (i.e. 5.5 and normal pH of water). Results: This research showed that phosphate compounds are effective in reducing residual metals. The maximum removal of residual Al was observed at coagulant dosage of 50 mg/l. Concentration of residual metals in conventional coagulation was different at various pHs. Minimum and maximum concentrations of Al were observed in pHs of 6.5 and 5.5, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that addition of phosphate at rapid mixing stage reduces the residual Al. However, the required dosages of phosphate should be increased at pH=5.5.

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Introduction: Aluminum phosphide is one of the most common causes of poisoning in the country. It liberates lethal phosphine gas when it comes in contact either with atmospheric moisture or with hydrochloric acid in the stomach. It mainly attacks the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Eating even small amounts of this toxin can lead to death. This study reports a case of successful treatment of aluminum phosphide poisoning.
Case Report: A 23-year-old man was referred to the Lordegan Shohada hospital. He was admitted into the hospital approximately 35 minutes after taking half a pill with consecutive vomiting, nausea and exacerbation of gastrointestinal symptoms. The contents of the stomach were rinsed with charcoal and bicarbonate and half a liter of olive oil was given to him half an hour later. One liter of normal saline was infused due to low systolic pressure, 70 mmHg. Sodium bicarbonate (2-3 vials per hour) was started to correct metabolic acidosis and blood gases. In addition, 10 CC of calcium gluconate 10% every 8 hours, 1 g magnesium sulfate every 6 hours, and solution (insulin, glucose, and potassium: GIK) were given intravenously to the patient. On the third-day blood gases (PaCO₂: 90, pH: 7.2, HCO₃: 19) and blood pressure (10.60 mmHg) improved, and vital signs stabilized. Ejection fraction increased to 30% on day four and the patient was discharged after 6 days.
Conclusion: Effective measures in aluminum phosphate poisoning including prompt patient referral, careful and continuous care, rapid evacuation and dilution of gastric contents, administration of olive oil, and stabilization of cell membrane potential and ECMO can be useful.