Boron in groundwaters of Nicosia (Cyprus) and its treatment by reverse osmosis

Abstract

Boron levels in groundwaters of Nicosia have been determined, compared to previous concentration data and correlated to the concentration of other chemical species contained in the groundwaters under investigation. According to data evaluation boron levels measured at different time do not differ statistically significant from each other, indicating that basically the geological background governs the boron content and origin in these systems. However, analytical data point out that boron levels in Nicosia groundwaters are toxic for boron sensitive crops and hence these have to be appropriately treated prior usage for irrigation purposes. Treatment of those groundwaters by reverse osmosis has shown that boron removal by this technique can be used effectively for the reduction of boron in groundwaters, particularly at pH > 9.5. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.