Determination of multi-valent metal contamination and system for removal of multi-valent metal contaminants from water

A method for eliminating from a body of water a potentially harmful multi-valent water-soluble metal contaminant capable of being reduced to a lower valence state, said method comprising:

• a) introducing into said body of water a composition comprising a water-soluble, multi-valent, metal-containing reducing agent capable of reducing the metal contaminant to a lower valence state;
• b) also introducing into said body of water a flocculating and precipitating ingredient which enables consolidation of the reduced metal contaminant in the body of water;
• and
• c) removing the reduced metal contaminant from the body of water.

A reaction system for eliminating from water multi-valent, water-soluble metal contaminants which are reducible in the presence of a selected reducing agent, said system comprising:

• a) a reaction volume containing a body of water to be treated for elimination of said harmful metal constituent;
• b) means for introducing into said reaction volume a water-soluble, multi-valent metal reducing agent able to react with and effectively reduce the metal contaminant to a reduced valence state and simultaneously oxidize the reducing agent to a higher oxidized valence state;
• c) means allowing for introduction into the body of water an ingredient which permits separation of solid constituents formed through reaction of the metal contaminant with the reducing agent;
• and
• d) means for discharging and removing any separated solid constituents from the body of water.

A reaction system for eliminating water-soluble, multi-valent metal contaminants from water which are reducible in the presence of a selected reducing agent, said system comprising:

• a) a reaction volume containing a body of water to be treated for elimination of said harmful metal constituent;
• b) means for introducing into said reaction volume a water-soluble, multi-valent metal reducing agent able to react with and effectively reduce the metal contaminant to the reduced valence state and simultaneously oxidize the reducing agent to a higher oxidized valence state;
• c) introducing through said means for introducing a member selected from the class consisting of sequestering agents and flocculating and precipitating agents to collect any precipitated constituents in the body of water;
• and
• d) a dispersing agent to enable fairly rapid dispersal of the reducing agent in the body of water.