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  1. Improving the two-step remediation process for CCA-treated wood. Part I, Evaluating oxalic acid extraction

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    Author(s): Carol Clausen
    Date: 2004
    Source: Waste management. Vol. 24 (2004): Pages 401-405
    Publication Series: Miscellaneous Publication
    PDF: View PDF  (74 KB)

    Description

    In this study, three possible improvements to a remediation process for chromated-copper-arsenate (CCA) treated wood were evaluated. The process involves two steps: oxalic acid extraction of wood fiber followed by bacterial culture with Bacillus licheniformis CC01. The three potential improvements to the oxalic acid extraction step were (1) reusing oxalic acid for multiple extractions, (2) varying the ratio of oxalic acid to wood, and (3) using a noncommercial source of oxalic acid such as Aspergillus niger, which produces oxalic acid as a metabolic byproduct. Reusing oxalic acid for multiple extractions removed significant amounts of copper, chromium, and arsenic. Increasing the ratio of wood to acid caused a steady decline in metal removal. Aspergillus niger removed moderate amounts of copper, chromium, and arsenic from CCA-treated wood. Although A. niger was effective, culture medium costs are likely to offset any benefits. Repeated extraction with commercial oxalic acid appears to be the most cost-effective method tested for the two-step process.

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    Citation

    Clausen, Carol. 2004. Improving the two-step remediation process for CCA-treated wood. Part I, Evaluating oxalic acid extraction. Waste management. Vol. 24 (2004): Pages 401-405

    Keywords

    CCA, Bacillus lichenifomis, Aspergillus niger, oxalic acid, remediation

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https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/8419