Radium Removal by HMO and Manganese Greensand

The ability of hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) and manganese greensand to remove radium in order to meet the new radionuclides rule is discussed. The authors explain how although HMO and manganese greensand are normally used to remove the nuisance contaminants of iron and manganese, they are also a possible means for removing radium. This study was undertaken to determine radium removal in pilot- and plant-scale iron and manganese removal plants in Brown County, Wisconsin; Knoxville and Marcus, Iowa; Garretson and Elk Point, South Dakota; and Lakeville, Hinckley, and Savage, Minnesota. Water suppliers can use the information in this article in pilot plant studies for the removal of radium by HMO and manganese greensand filtration systems and compare the associated costs with those of best available technology, such as lime softening, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis.