Experimental Study on Electromagnetic Treatment for Reducing Salinity in Groundwater

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of electromagnetic treatment using aluminum electrodes in improving the physicochemical properties of highly saline groundwater.

Materials and Methods: An experimental system was designed consisting of a treatment tank equipped with aluminum electrodes and a magnetic field source. A saline water sample with a total dissolved solids concentration of 30,633 ppm was treated under controlled laboratory conditions at 35 V. Several treatment durations (30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1.5 hours, and 3 hours) were tested. Key parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, and concentrations of major ions (Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), were measured before and after treatment.

Results: The results showed a gradual improvement in water quality over time. TDS decreased significantly from 30,633 ppm to 20,738 ppm after 3 hours. Electrical conductivity and total hardness also showed notable reductions. Concentrations of sodium, calcium, and magnesium decreased, indicating effective removal of dissolved ions. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of precipitates mainly composed of sodium chloride and calcium sulfate.

Conclusion: Electromagnetic treatment proved to be an effective and environmentally friendly technique for reducing salinity and improving groundwater quality. The method shows strong potential as an alternative water treatment solution, although further optimization is required for large-scale applications.