Berilium

Beryllium (Be)

1. Basic Information

2. Physical and Chemical Properties

• Beryllium is an alkaline earth metal, gray in color, hard, and light in weight.

• Has a high melting point (1287°C) and excellent thermal conductivity

• Resistant to oxidation at room temperature

• Soluble in strong acids and alkalis, but resistant to nitric acid

3. Presence in Water and Health Effects

Beryllium is rarely found in groundwater and drinking water. If present, it is usually sourced from industrial waste. Beryllium is not essential for humans and can be toxic by inhalation, causing berylliosis (lung disorder) and increasing the risk of cancer. Therefore, the EPA sets the limit for beryllium in drinking water at 4 ppb.

4. Applications and Removal Methods in Water Treatment

Due to the very low levels of beryllium in natural water, specialized removal is usually not required. However, if it is present in significant concentrations (e.g. from industrial effluent pollution), several methods can be used to remove it:

• Ion exchange: cation exchange resins can remove beryllium and other heavy metals

• Chemical precipitation: the addition of alkalis such as lime can precipitate beryllium hydroxide

• Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration: semi-permeable membranes can remove metals including beryllium with high efficiency

5. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Considerations

Although rarely found in water, beryllium can accumulate in the environment from improper disposal of industrial waste. This can negatively impact ecosystems and food chains. Adequate wastewater treatment is important to reduce the risk of beryllium release into the environment.

6. Future Trends and Research

Research is underway to develop more effective and sustainable beryllium removal methods, especially for industrial wastewater recovery applications. These include the use of natural adsorbents, molecular imprinted polymers, and integrated membrane processes.

7. Interesting Facts

• Beryllium was first discovered in mineral water in France in 1798

• Beryllium tests are used in water treatment to check the integrity of granular activated carbon filters

• Copper-beryllium alloys are used in drilling equipment for groundwater treatment and deep wells