Comparative analysis of two Algerian bentonites treated with corrosion inhibitors using the k0-INAA method: implications for environmental management
摘要
A comparative elemental analysis of two Algerian bentonites—Mostaganem (Mos) and Maghnia (Mag)—has been conducted before-and-after being subjected to sodium molybdate treatment as a corrosion inhibitor, by using neutrons activation analysis with k0 standardization. Elemental analyses have reflected that Mos bentonite has got much more adsorption capacity for molybdate than Mag bentonite (63,261 vs. 37,197 mg/kg). Upon washing these treated bentonites, Mag released 45% of its retained molybdate, above Mos’s release of only 9%, thus confirming that molybdate retention is stronger in Mos. Molybdate treatment would considerably increase the sodium contents: 481% for Mos and 179% for Mag. At the same time, decreases take place in the concentrations of Ca, Ba, Rb, and Zr. In addition, Mos loses 19% of REEs as compared to 6% for Mag, and following washing, these losses rise to 23 and 12%, for Mos and Mag, respectively.