What does this research mean for the field?

Electron-beam irradiation can modestly enhance chromium ion removal from water using quartz-rich Baltic Sea sands, with effectiveness varying by location and irradiation dose. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The central aim is to investigate the effects of electron-beam irradiation on the surface properties of Baltic coastal quartz sands and their ability to remove chromium from water.

March 2, 2026Open Access

Electron-Beam Modification of Baltic Coastal Quartz Sands for Enhanced Chromium Ion Removal from Water

Key Points

The central aim is to investigate the effects of electron-beam irradiation on the surface properties of Baltic coastal quartz sands and their ability to remove chromium from water.
Modified quartz sands using 6 MeV electron-beam irradiation at doses ranging from 0 to 100 Gy.
Evaluated surface electronic properties using near-threshold photoelectron emission spectroscopy and electron work function measurement.
Assessed near-surface chemistry changes using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Quantified filtration performance through UV-Vis absorbance measurements of chromium-contaminated water.
Electron work function values remained stable between ~4.7 and 4.9 eV across sands, with pronounced changes observed at Liepaja sand.
Liepaja sand showed significant enhancement in chromium removal, indicating a dose-dependent效应 at 40 Gy.
Irradiation led to modifications in the Si–O environment, particularly strong for Liepaja sand, reflecting changes in surface-reactive centers.

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in coastal and ballast waters motivates the development of low-cost, environmentally compatible filtration media. This study investigates how 6 MeV electron-beam irradiation (0–100 Gy) modifies the surface electronic and chemical properties of quartz-rich Baltic Sea sands collected from four Latvian coastal locations (Riga, Salacgriva, Ventspils, and Liepaja), and how these modifications affect chromium removal from aqueous K2CrO4 solutions. Surface electronic behavior was evaluated by near-threshold photoelectron emission spectroscopy (PEES), including electron work function (EWF) and analysis of differentiated spectra, while irradiation-associated changes in near-surface chemistry were assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Filtration performance was quantified by UV–Vis absorbance of filtrates. Across all sands, EWF values remained within ~4.7–4.9 eV; however, irradiation effects were strongly site-dependent. Liepaja sand exhibited the most pronounced response, including an EWF increase at 40 Gy, a shift in the differentiated PEES peak toward higher photon energies at ≥40 Gy, and the largest integrated photoemission intensity across doses, consistent with an elevated relative photoemission response under identical acquisition and processing conditions. XPS trends for Liepaja were consistent with irradiation-driven modification of the Si–O environment, while other sites showed comparatively minor changes. Filtration results mirrored these observations: Liepaja sand demonstrated the clearest dose-dependent enhancement in chromium removal with a non-monotonic feature at 40 Gy, consistent with competing formation and transformation of oxygen-related surface-reactive centers. Overall, the results show that electron-beam irradiation can modestly enhance Cr(VI) removal by natural quartz sands, with the magnitude governed by site-specific near-surface electronic structure and its dose-dependent evolution.

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