Application of Ion Exchange Resin Capsules in Water Pollution Source Investigating in Taichung Area, Central Taiwan

Abstract

In central Taiwan, due to the complex urban regions and the distribution of industrial and agricultural areas, there are high potential risks of irrigation water pollution caused by urban drainage or industrial wastewater. Heavy metal pollution from industrial wastewater significantly impacts water and soil. In this study, time-lapse ion exchange resin capsules were used to investigate heavy metal water pollution in the Taichung irrigation area of central Taiwan. The resin capsules were put in pollution canals for a few days and retaken. X-ray fluorescence analysis was conducted to detect the amount of heavy metal absorption and investigate the degree of heavy metal pollution in the irrigation water. The investigation was performed from 2018 to 2021, and during which, 48, 140, 620, and 217 resin capsules were placed to investigate the pollution of the irrigation area. The results show that the Babao irrigation area in the Dajia River basin and the Dali irrigation area in the Wu River basin were significantly polluted with Ni and Cr. Ion exchange resin capsules were recommended as being a valuable tool for a quick test to investigate heavy metal pollution.

Keywords

• resin capsule
• water pollution
• heavy metal