https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06559-8
Regular Article
A surrogate thermal lens method for iron quantification in water and practical implementation of a low-cost dual-oxidation–filtration system
1
Department of Optoelectronics, University of Kerala, 695581, Trivandrum, India
2
Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, 5000, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Received:
4
April
2025
Accepted:
16
June
2025
Published online:
5
July
2025
The present work proposes a sensitive surrogate laser-based thermal lens (TL) method for quantifying iron in water, complemented by a two-stage oxidation and filtration process using KMnO4 and H2O2 to address elevated iron contamination. To calibrate the TL method, iron oxide samples are synthesized via combustion, characterized using various techniques, and used to prepare standard nanofluids with concentrations ranging from 0.18 to 55 ppm. TL signals from these nanofluids are recorded to establish a calibration graph, and a regression equation is employed to quantify iron levels in water samples. The method is applied to borewell water from Kazhakoottam (8.5686° N, 76.8731° E), India, with results verified by an authorized water quality testing centre. Upon exposure to air or heating, precipitated particulate matter (PM) from the water is characterized, confirming its similarity to the synthesized iron oxide. The optimized two-stage oxidation process effectively removes odour, colour, and PM, improving water quality to meet WHO drinking water standards. A low-cost water treatment plant based on this process is implemented, highlighting the method's practical applicability. This work offers a reliable approach to iron quantification and a cost-effective solution for improving water quality.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
