Abstract:
The ability of zeolites to abstract and denature organochloride pesticides finds application in water purification
practices. In this study, activated faujasite X and Y zeolites were separately exposed to 1, 2 and 4 ppm concentrations of
1,1,1-trichloro-2,2’ bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (dichloro dipheny trichloroethane - DDT) water solutions. For the 1 ppm
DDT solutions, the resultant degradation products and residual DDT were minimal with concentrations in zeolite treatments
reducing to below detection limit (0.005 ppm) in about 2 hours. In addition, the rate of dissipation was found to somewhat
depend on the levels of DDT concentration and the type of zeolite used. The main degradation product in samples exposed to
faujasite X was dichloro dipheny dichloroethylene (DDE) whereas in the faujasite Y exposed samples, both the DDE and
dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane (DDD) were obtained.
