Background and Objectives: Nitrate is one of the most groundwater pollutants in world. Reduction of nitrate to nitrite by microorganisms cause serious health hazards. Nitrate can be eliminated using either adsorbtion or reduction. In this study, we investigated the adsorption of nitate on zeolite and the feasibility of removal improvement using supported  zero valent nano iron on zeolite via the reduction process.
Materials and Methods: The study was done in two phases; investigation the zeolite and modified zeolite with zero valent nano iron in nitrate removal from water. First, we determined the optimum pH and time then the effect of adsorbent and nitrate concentration was investigated in one factor at the time. The adsorption isotherm was calculated according to the optimum condition. The physical characteristics of adsorbents were determined using SEM and TEM.
Results: The morphology investigation of adsorbent showed that the particle size of supported zero valent nano iron on zeolite was approximately 30-50 nm in diameter. The best conditions were; pH 5, contact time of 120 min and 15 g/L for zeolite, while pH 3, contact time of 50 min and 7.5 g/L for supported  zero valent nano iron on zeolite. The isotherm equations revealed that nitrate adsorption follows Langmiur in both cases.
Conclusion: The supported  zero valent nano iron on zeolite could be considered as a high potential adsorbent for nitrate because it has several adsorbent sites, and Fe⁰ as a function for nitrate reduction.