A method for preconcentrating Zr from large volumes of seawater using MnO2-impregnated fibers

A method for preconcentrating Zr from large volumes of seawater using MnO2-impregnated fibers is described. The manganese dioxide-impregnated fibers were synthesized from polypropylene cartridge filters by a redox reaction between KMnO4 and MnCl2. Seawater samples were introduced into an extraction system and Zr was extracted from the samples by the MnO2-impregnated fibers. Zirconium was recovered from the fibers through two steps of elution into aqueous solutions and measured by inductively coupled argon plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The average extraction efficiency for Zr was 59% on a single pass of 50–1000 l sample at flow rates of 8.1–15 l min−1, and 100% on continuous circulation of 200 l sample at 15 l min−1. The results indicate that Zr can be rapidly and easily preconcentrated onto MnO2-impregnated fibers from large volumes of seawater. This simple method can be applied to the preconcentration of trace dissolved Zr in natural water and removal of radiozirconium from radioactive waste fluid.