Constituent Removal Cheat Sheet
Summary
A cheat sheet for selecting a media type for constituent removal at the tertiary or polishing stage. Bookmark this page so you have access to the most current information as things do change.
| Constituent | Media Types | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1,2,3-trichloropropane (C₃H₅Cl₃) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (C₈H₆Cl₂O₃) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| 2-methylisoborneol (C₁₁H₂₀O) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Algae Cells | Anthracite, Pumice, Sand | [4], [28], [30] |
| Ammonium Ions (NH₄⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin, MicroZ, Zeolite | [19], [24], [32] |
| Antimony Ions (Sb³⁺/Sb⁵⁺) | Activated Alumina, ArsenXnp, Bayoxide E33, Bone Char, FerrIX A33, Greensand, Ion Exchange Resin, Katalox Light, Manganese Dioxide, Zeolite | [1], [5], [6], [8], [11], [18], [19], [20], [23], [32] |
| Arsenate Ions (AsO₄³⁻) | Activated Alumina, ArsenXnp, Bayoxide E33, Bone Char, FerrIX A33, Greensand, Ion Exchange Resin, Katalox Light, Manganese Dioxide, Zeolite | [1], [5], [6], [8], [11], [18], [19], [20], [23], [32] |
| Arsenic Ions (As³⁺/As⁵⁺) | Activated Alumina, ArsenXnp, Bayoxide E33, Bone Char, FerrIX A33, Greensand, Katalox Light, KDF55, KDF85, Manganese Dioxide | [1], [5], [6], [8], [11], [18], [20], [21], [23] |
| Arsenite Ions (AsO₃³⁻) | Greensand, Katalox Light, Manganese Dioxide | [18], [20], [23] |
| Atrazine (C₈H₁₄ClN₅) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Azo Dyes | Granular Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin | [16], [19] |
| Barium Ions (Ba²⁺) | Bone Char, Ion Exchange Resin | [8], [19] |
| Benzene (C₆H₆) | Granular Activated Carbon, OrganoClay | [16], [26] |
| Bicarbonates (HCO₃⁻) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Biofilms | Activated Glass Filtration Media | [3] |
| Boron Ions (B³⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Bromoacetic Acid (CH₂BrCOOH) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Bromodichloromethane (CHBrCl₂) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Bromoform (CHBr₃) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Cadmium Ions (Cd²⁺) | Bayoxide E33, Bone Char, FerrIX A33, Ion Exchange Resin, KDF85, OrganoClay, Zeolite | [6], [8], [11], [19], [21], [26], [32] |
| Calcium Ions (Ca²⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Carbamazepine (C₁₅H₁₂N₂O) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) | Calcite | [9] |
| Chloral Hydrate (C₂H₃Cl₃O₂) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Chlorides (Cl⁻) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Chloroform (CHCl₃) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Chloramines | Centaur Carbon | [10] |
| Chlorine (Cl₂) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Chromium Ions (Cr³⁺/Cr⁶⁺) | Activated Alumina, Ion Exchange Resin, KDF55, KDF85, OrganoClay, Zeolite | [1], [19], [21], [26], [32] |
| Clay | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Filter-Ag, Garnet, MicroZ, Pumice, Sand | [3], [12], [14], [24], [28], [30] |
| Cobalt Ions (Co²⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin, Zeolite | [19], [32] |
| Coliform Bacteria, E. coli, Fecal/Total Coliforms | Anthracite, Sand, Zeolite | [4], [30], [32] |
| Color-Causing Compounds | Bone Char, Granular Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin | [8], [16], [19] |
| Colloids | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Filter-Ag, Garnet, Katalox Light, Pumice, Sand | [3], [12], [14], [20], [28], [30] |
| Copper Ions (Cu²⁺) | Bayoxide E33, Bone Char, FerrIX A33, Ion Exchange Resin, Katalox Light, KDF85, MicroZ, OrganoClay, Zeolite | [6], [8], [11], [19], [20], [21], [24], [26], [32] |
| Cryptosporidium Oocysts | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Garnet, MicroZ | [3], [14], [24] |
| Detritus | Anthracite, Garnet, Pumice | [4], [14], [28] |
| Diatoms | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Sand | [3], [30] |
| Dibromoacetic Acid (CHBr₂COOH) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Dibromochloromethane (CHBr₂Cl) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Dichloramine (NHCl₂) | Centaur Carbon | [10] |
| Dichloroacetic Acid (CHCl₂COOH) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Diclofenac (C₁₄H₁₁Cl₂NO₂) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Disinfection Byproducts | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Ethylbenzene (C₈H₁₀) | Granular Activated Carbon, OrganoClay | [16], [26] |
| Fats | OrganoClay, Pecan Shell, Walnut Shell | [26], [27], [31] |
| Ferric Iron (Fe³⁺) | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Centaur Carbon, Filter-Ag, Greensand, Katalox Light, KDF85, Magnetite, Manganese Dioxide, MicroZ, Sand, Zeolite | [3], [10], [12], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [30], [32] |
| Ferrous Iron (Fe²⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Fluoride Ions (F⁻) | Activated Alumina, Bone Char | [1], [8] |
| Fulvic Acids | Anthracite, Bone Char, Graphite, Granular Activated Carbon | [4], [8], [15], [16] |
| Geosmin (C₁₂H₂₂O) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Giardia Cysts | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Garnet, MicroZ | [3], [14], [24] |
| Glyphosate (C₃H₈NO₅P) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Hardness | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Humic Acids & Substances | Activated Alumina, Anthracite, Bone Char, Graphite, Granular Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin | [1], [4], [8], [15], [16], [19] |
| Hydrocarbons | Granular Activated Carbon, OrganoClay, Pecan Shell, Walnut Shell | [16], [26], [27], [31] |
| Hydrogen Ions (H⁺) / Acidity | Calcite | [9] |
| Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) | Centaur Carbon, Filox, Greensand, Katalox Light, KDF85, Manganese Dioxide, MTM, Pyrolox | [10], [13], [18], [20], [21], [23], [25], [29] |
| Ibuprofen (C₁₃H₁₈O₂) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Larger Clusters (Coliform, E. Coli, Sediment) | Anthracite | [4] |
| Lead Ions (Pb²⁺) | Activated Alumina, Bayoxide E33, Bone Char, FerrIX A33, Ion Exchange Resin, Katalox Light, KDF55, KDF85, MicroZ, OrganoClay, Zeolite | [1], [6], [8], [11], [19], [20], [21], [24], [26], [32] |
| Legionella pneumophila | Diatomaceous Earth | [2] |
| Magnesium Ions (Mg²⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Manganese Ions (Mn²⁺) | Birm, Centaur Carbon, Filox, Greensand, Ion Exchange Resin, Katalox Light, KDF85, Magnetite, Manganese Dioxide, MicroZ, MTM, Pyrolox, Zeolite | [7], [10], [13], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [29], [32] |
| Manganese Precipitates (Mn²⁺) | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Anthracite, Calcite, Filter-Ag, Garnet, Katalox Light, Magnetite, MicroZ, Sand | [3], [4], [9], [12], [14], [20], [22], [24], [30] |
| Mercury Ions (Hg²⁺) | Bone Char, Granular Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin, KDF55, KDF85, Zeolite | [8], [16], [19], [21], [32] |
| Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (C₅H₁₂O) | Granular Activated Carbon, OrganoClay | [16], [26] |
| Microplastics | Activated Glass Filtration Media | [3] |
| Monochloramine (NH₂Cl) | Centaur Carbon | [10] |
| Nickel Ions (Ni²⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin, KDF55, KDF85, Zeolite | [19], [21], [32] |
| Nitrate Ions (NO₃⁻) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Nitrite Ions (NO₂⁻) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Oils | OrganoClay, Pecan Shell, Walnut Shell | [26], [27], [31] |
| Organic Compounds | Granular Activated Carbon, Graphite | [15], [16] |
| Perchlorate Ions (ClO₄⁻) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Perchloroethylene (C₂Cl₄) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (C₈HF₁₇O₃S), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (C₈HF₁₅O₂), PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), Forever Chemicals | Granular Activated Carbon, OrganoClay | [16], [26] |
| Petroleum Hydrocarbons | OrganoClay, Pecan Shell, Walnut Shell | [26], [27], [31] |
| Phenolic Compounds | Granular Activated Carbon, Zeolite | [16], [32] |
| Phosphate Ions (PO₄³⁻) | Activated Alumina | [1] |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons | Granular Activated Carbon, OrganoClay, Pecan Shell, Walnut Shell | [16], [26], [27], [31] |
| Potassium Ions (K⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin, Zeolite | [19], [32] |
| Pseudomonas Aeruginosa | Diatomaceous Earth | [34] |
| Radium Ions (Ra²⁺), Radium-226 (226Ra), Radium-228 (228Ra) | Bayoxide E33, Bone Char, Greensand, Ion Exchange Resin, Katalox Light, Manganese Dioxide | [6], [8], [18], [19], [20], [23] |
| Residual Floc Particles | Sand | [30] |
| Selenate Ions (SeO₄²⁻) | Activated Alumina, ArsenXnp | [1], [5] |
| Selenite Ions (SeO₃²⁻) | Activated Alumina, ArsenXnp | [1], [5] |
| Selenium Ions (Se⁴⁺/Se⁶⁺) | Activated Alumina, ArsenXnp, Ion Exchange Resin | [1], [5], [19] |
| Silica Ions (SiO₃²⁻) | Activated Alumina, Ion Exchange Resin | [1], [19] |
| Silt | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Filter-Ag, Garnet, MicroZ, Pumice, Sand | [3], [12], [14], [24], [28], [30] |
| Simazine (C₇H₁₂ClN₅) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Sodium Ions (Na⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin, Zeolite | [19], [32] |
| Strontium Ions (Sr²⁺) | Bone Char, Ion Exchange Resin | [8], [19] |
| Sulfamethoxazole (C₁₀H₁₁N₃O₃S) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Sulfates (SO₄²⁻) | Ion Exchange Resin | [19] |
| Suspended Solids to 3 Microns | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Katalox Light | [3], [20] |
| Suspended Solids to 5 Microns | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Garnet, Katalox Light, MicroZ | [3], [14], [20], [24] |
| Suspended Solids to 10 Microns | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Garnet, Katalox Light, Magnetite, MicroZ, Pecan Shell, Walnut Shell | [3], [14], [20], [22], [24], [27], [31] |
| Suspended Solids to 15 Microns | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Garnet, Katalox Light, Magnetite, MicroZ, Pumice | [3], [14], [20], [22], [24], [28] |
| Suspended Solids to 20 Microns | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Filter-Ag, Garnet, Graphite, Katalox Light, Magnetite, MicroZ, Sand | [3], [12], [14], [15], [20], [22], [24], [30] |
| Suspended Solids to 40 Microns | Activated Glass Filtration Media, Anthracite, Filter-Ag, Garnet, Katalox Light, Magnetite, MicroZ | [3], [4], [12], [14], [20], [22], [24] |
| Taste-Impairing Compounds | Bone Char, Granular Activated Carbon | [8], [16] |
| Tetrachloroethylene (C₂Cl₄) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Toluene (C₇H₈) | Granular Activated Carbon, OrganoClay | [16], [26] |
| Trichloroacetic Acid (CCl₃COOH) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Trichloroethylene (C₂HCl₃) | Granular Activated Carbon | [16] |
| Trichloramine (NCl₃) | Centaur Carbon | [10] |
| Turbidity | See suspended solids | |
| Uranium Ions (UO₂²⁺) | Bayoxide E33, Bone Char, FerrIX A33, Ion Exchange Resin | [6], [8], [11], [19] |
| Vanadium Ions (V⁵⁺) | Zeolite | [32] |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | Granular Activated Carbon, Graphite | [15], [16] |
| Xylenes (C₈H₁₀) | Granular Activated Carbon, OrganoClay | [16], [26] |
| Zinc Ions (Zn²⁺) | Ion Exchange Resin, Katalox Light, MicroZ, OrganoClay, Zeolite | [19], [20], [24], [26], [32] |
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Activated | Refers to a process where materials like carbon or alumina are treated (e.g., via heat or chemicals) to create a highly porous structure with increased surface area for adsorption; common in media like granular activated carbon (GAC) for removing organics, chlorine, and odors in water treatment. |
| Activated Alumina | Porous, high-surface-area material made by treating aluminum ore (bauxite) to make it adsorptive; used for removing fluoride, arsenic, selenium, silica, and humic acids; requires regeneration with alum, acid, or caustic; effective in dedicated vessels for anion-specific polishing. |
| Activated Glass Filtration Media (AGFM) | Manufactured from specific glass types and processed to create a fine, antimicrobial filtration medium; replaces sand in filters for superior removal of particulates down to ~3 microns; eco-friendly (recycled glass) with lower backwash needs; used in pressure filters for polishing. |
| Anthracite | Crushed and screened anthracite coal used as a lightweight, porous filter medium; primarily for mechanical removal of larger suspended solids and turbidity in multimedia beds; often the top layer due to low density; durable with high void space for better flow rates in surface water treatment. |
| ArsenXnp | Hybrid ion exchange resin infused with iron oxide nanoparticles; specialized for selective removal of arsenic (arsenite/arsenate), selenium, and antimony; high capacity and regenerable; used in fixed-bed systems for groundwater polishing where arsenic exceeds EPA limits. |
| Bayoxide E33 | Granular ferric oxide (α-FeOOH) adsorptive medium; designed for arsenic removal (up to 99%) with long life (6-36 months); also targets certain heavy metals like lead and uranium; non-regenerable (disposable); ideal for centralized treatment in arsenic-contaminated wells. |
| Birm | Manufactured medium of plastic or aluminum silicate coated with manganese oxide; acts as a catalytic oxidant for iron and manganese reduction; requires no regeneration (only backwashing); effective at pH >6.8 with dissolved oxygen; used in iron-rich groundwater polishing. |
| Bone Char | Carbonized animal bones (about 10% carbon content) used as a selective anion exchanger; effective for fluoride, arsenic, and certain heavy metals removal, plus decolorization; regenerable but often disposable; common in endemic fluoride areas or for taste/color improvement in drinking water. |
| Calcite | Crushed calcium carbonate (CaCO₃, often marble or limestone); dissolves to neutralize acidic water, raise pH, and reduce corrosivity; also filters precipitated iron/manganese; self-limiting (dissolves only as needed); used in upflow vessels for final pH stabilization. |
| Centaur Carbon | Catalytic activated carbon modified for enhanced redox reactions; removes chloramines, hydrogen sulfide, iron, and manganese; requires dissolved oxygen and EBCT of 5+ minutes; used post-disinfection for taste/odor and metal polishing in municipal systems. |
| Clay | Very fine mineral particles (typically <0.002 mm in size) derived from rock weathering, often suspended in water; contributes to turbidity and can clog filters; removed by mechanical filtration media like sand or garnet. |
| Colloids | Tiny particles (0.001-1 micron) that remain suspended in water without settling, including organic and inorganic matter; they scatter light, increasing turbidity, and are harder to remove than larger solids; often targeted by coagulants before filtration. |
| Constituents | The various substances or components present in water, including dissolved ions, suspended solids, organics, and contaminants; in treatment, refers to what media target for removal to improve water quality (e.g., arsenic, chlorine, or ammonia). |
| Corosex | Magnesium oxide (MgO) medium, often crushed; used for aggressive pH correction in very acidic waters; dissolves to raise pH and add magnesium; can over-correct if not blended (e.g., with calcite); applied in neutralizing filters for corrosion control. Removed from options out of caution. |
| Detritus | Dead or decaying organic matter (e.g., plant leaves, animal remains, fecal material, or microbial debris) that can be suspended or settled in water; provides nutrients upon decomposition but contributes to oxygen demand and turbidity; filtered out by media like anthracite or pumice in tertiary stages. |
| FerrIX A33 | Granular ferric oxide-based adsorptive medium; specialized for arsenic, certain heavy metals, and uranium removal; high capacity and long-lasting; non-regenerable; used in pressure vessels for groundwater treatment in contaminated sites. |
| Filter-Ag | Clumped, non-hydrous silicon dioxide (silica) medium; lightweight and porous for general filtration of suspended solids down to 20-40 microns; requires lower backwash rates; used as an alternative to sand in multimedia filters for turbidity reduction. |
| Filox | High-purity manganese dioxide (MnO2) ore medium; catalytic for oxidizing and removing iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide; requires only backwashing (no regenerants); effective at wide pH range; used in high-contaminant groundwater polishing. |
| Garnet | Dense, abrasion-resistant mineral (almandine garnet) medium; used for fine mechanical filtration of particulates down to 5-10 microns; bottom layer in multimedia beds due to high specific gravity; enhances deep-bed filtration in wastewater effluent. |
| Graphite | Porous carbon-based medium derived from graphite; used for mechanical filtration of suspended solids and adsorption of organics/volatiles; less common but effective in specialized applications for turbidity and organic reduction. |
| Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) | Highly porous carbon granules produced by activating carbonaceous materials (e.g., coal, coconut shells); adsorbs organics, chlorine, tastes/odors, and VOCs; regenerable thermally; standard for post-filtration polishing in drinking water systems. |
| Gravel | Coarse quartz or silica particles; primarily a support/base layer in filter beds to prevent media loss; minimal direct removal but stabilizes finer media; used at the bottom of pressure vessels for structural support. |
| Greensand | Naturally occurring glauconite mineral with ion-exchange properties; base for manganese greensand; removes iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide via oxidation; regenerated with potassium permanganate; used in municipal groundwater treatment. |
| Humic Substances | Complex, dark-colored organic compounds formed from the decomposition of plant and animal matter, major components of natural organic matter (NOM) in soil, water, and sediments; can cause color, taste issues, and form disinfection byproducts; removed by adsorptive media like GAC or ion exchange. |
| Hydrocarbons | Organic compounds consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon atoms, often from petroleum sources (e.g., oils, fuels); contaminants in water that can cause toxicity and fouling; targeted by specialized media like OrganoClay or walnut shell for removal in industrial wastewater polishing. |
| Ion Exchange Resin | Synthetic or natural polymers (e.g., polystyrene beads) that exchange ions in water (e.g., swap hardness for sodium); cation/anion types for demineralization, nitrates, arsenic; regenerable with brine/acid; used for targeted ion polishing in boiler feed or drinking water. |
| Ions | Charged atoms or molecules (cations positive, anions negative) resulting from the loss or gain of electrons; in water chemistry, they include dissolved metals (e.g., Mn²⁺) and nutrients; removed via ion exchange resins or oxidation/filtration in treatment processes. |
| Katalox Light | Manganese dioxide-coated zeolite medium; catalytic for removing iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, arsenic, and certain heavy metals; also filters particulate down to 3 microns; no regeneration needed; versatile for challenging well water with high contaminants. |
| KDF55 | High-purity copper-zinc alloy granules; uses redox reactions to remove chlorine, certain heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury), and inhibit bacteria; long-lasting; used in point-of-use filters or as pre-treatment in polishing systems. |
| KDF85 | Copper-zinc alloy granules optimized for hydrogen sulfide, iron, and manganese removal; redox-based; durable and bacteria-resistant; applied in well water treatment for sulfur odors and metals. |
| Magnetite | Dense iron oxide (Fe3O4) medium; used for fine filtration of suspended solids down to 10 microns and oxidation of iron/manganese; high specific gravity for stable beds; often in multimedia setups for effluent clarification. |
| Manganese Dioxide | Generic solid MnO2 medium (natural or synthetic); catalytic oxidant for iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and arsenic; requires backwashing; used in various branded forms for metal removal in groundwater. |
| Media | Granular or porous materials (e.g., sand, carbon, resin) used in filtration systems to trap, adsorb, or exchange contaminants from water; selected based on target constituents, with layering in pressure vessels for efficient tertiary polishing. |
| Microplastics | Small plastic particles or fragments less than 5 mm in size, resulting from breakdown of larger plastics or direct release (e.g., from cosmetics); persistent pollutants in water that harm aquatic life; captured by fine mechanical filters like sand or AGFM in treatment systems. |
| MicroZ | High-porosity zeolite variant; used for ammonia (ammonium) removal, fine sediments down to 5 microns, and iron/manganese; ion exchange and adsorption; applied in wastewater nutrient control or aquaculture. |
| MTM | Granular manganese dioxide medium; similar to greensand for reducing iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide; regenerated with potassium permanganate; used in iron-rich water polishing. |
| OrganoClay | A modified clay mineral (organically treated bentonite or phyllosilicate) designed as a filter media for adsorbing oils, hydrocarbons, and high-molecular-weight organics; effective in wastewater treatment for removing non-polar contaminants like PFAS or certain heavy metals. |
| Pecan Shell | Granular medium from crushed pecan shells; adsorbs oils, fats, hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatics; mechanical filtration down to 10 microns; renewable and eco-friendly; used in oily wastewater or stormwater polishing. |
| Precipitates | Insoluble solids formed from dissolved substances in water during chemical reactions (e.g., oxidation or pH adjustment); common in treatment for removing metals like iron or manganese; media like calcite or sand filter out these formed particles. |
| Pumice | Porous volcanic aluminum silicate rock; lightweight filtration medium for removing colloids, silt, and algae down to 15 microns; high void space for flow; used in multimedia beds for turbidity reduction. |
| Pyrolox | Natural manganese dioxide ore medium; catalytic for oxidizing iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide; requires high backwash rates; no regeneration; durable for high-load groundwater treatment. |
| Sand | Chemically inert silica particles; mechanically filters suspended solids, turbidity, and colloids down to 20 microns; middle layer in multimedia filters; widely used for particulate polishing in industrial and municipal systems. |
| Silt | Fine sediment particles (0.002–0.0625 mm in size) composed mainly of quartz or mineral grains, larger than clay but smaller than sand; erodes from soil and contributes to suspended solids and turbidity; removed by mechanical media like garnet or sand to prevent equipment fouling. |
| Suspended Solids | Insoluble particles (organic and inorganic, e.g., soil, silt, sand, plankton, bacteria, or debris) that float or drift in water without dissolving; measured as TSS; can harbor pathogens and reduce water clarity; targeted by filtration media for removal in polishing vessels. |
| Total Suspended Solids (TSS) | The quantitative measure (in mg/L) of all suspended solids in water that can be trapped by a filter (typically particles >2 microns), including silt, organic matter, and algae; high levels indicate poor water quality; reduced by media like sand or GAC to meet effluent standards. |
| Turbidity | A measure of water cloudiness or clarity (in NTU) caused by light scattering from suspended particles like silt, colloids, or detritus; high turbidity can shield pathogens from disinfection; polishing media reduce it to <1 NTU for safe drinking water. |
| Walnut Shell | Granular medium from crushed walnut shells; excels at adsorbing oils, hydrocarbons, and petroleum compounds; filters particulate down to 10 microns; biodegradable and effective in oily industrial wastewater treatment. |
| Zeolite | Natural or synthetic hydrated sodium alumina silicate with ion-exchange capacity; removes ammonia, certain heavy metals, and fine sediments; historically for softening, now for nutrient/metal polishing; regenerable; used in wastewater reuse applications. |
Bibliography
- [1] EPA Drinking Water Technologies (various)
- [2] Olympian Water Testing: Diatomaceous Earth
- [3] Ecologix Systems: Activated Glass Filtration Media
- [4] The Critical Role Of Anthracite Filter Media in Drinking-Water Purification
- [5] Purolite: ArsenXnp
- [6] Lanxess: Bayoxide E33
- [7] Clack Corp: Birm
- [8] Study of arsenic(V) adsorption on bone char from aqueous solution
- [9] Clack Corp: Calcite/Corosex
- [10] Calgon Carbon: Centaur
- [11] Purolite: FerrIX A33
- [12] Clack Corp: Filter-Ag
- [13] Watch Water: Arsenic Removal
- [14] Red Flint: Garnet
- [15] ScienceDirect: Graphite Filtration
- [16] EPA SDWA Overview (GAC)
- [17] Gravel
- [18] Inversand: Manganese Greensand
- [19] EPA SDWA Technologies (Ion Exchange)
- [20] Watch Water: Katalox Light Data
- [21] KDF Fluid Treatment: Success Stories
- [22] ScienceDirect: Magnetite Iron Removal
- [23] LinkedIn: Manganese Dioxide Media
- [24] Watts: MicroZ Media
- [25] Glass Water Systems: MTM
- [26] Ecologix Systems: OrganoClay
- [27] ScienceDirect: Walnut Shell Media
- [28] Hess Pumice: Filtration Uses
- [29] Pure Water Products: Pyrolox
- [30] Clack Corp: Filter-Ag/Sand
- [31] Filtra Systems: Walnut Shell Advantages
- [32] Media Bros: Zeolite Guide
- [33] Removal of zinc, copper and lead by natural zeolite
- [34] PubMed: Pseudomonas/Diatomaceous Earth
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