Abstract: Low-cost industrial/agricultural by products and mineral materials have the potential to remove pathogens in soil and water environment. We chose ΦX174 as the target pathogen. Magnesite, calcined magnesite, iron filings, biochar, zeolite, limestone and bauxite were mixed with soils from the top layer at a volume ratio of 1∶9 and filled into the column, respectively. An indoor soil column transport experiment was carried under steadystate saturated conditions to explore the effects of different materials on the transport behavior of soil viruses. Results showed that the removal rate of ΦX174 was in order of calcined magnesite (100.0%) > magnesite (23.3%) > iron filings (16.9%). The removal rates of ΦX174 were less than 15.0% for biochar, zeolite, limestone, and bauxite. The analysis of the changes in the surface crystal structure and phase composition of the materials before and after the experiment showed that the calcined magnesite partially reacts in the experimental solution to form magnesium hydroxide, which changes the surface crystal structure of the material and the chemical conditions of the solution, so that the virus was removed through solid phase adsorption and liquid phase inactivation. Magnesite’s material properties were stable, without any reaction products being formed. Iron filings partially react in the experimental solution to generate iron oxides and hydroxy iron oxides, which increase the virus adsorption sites on the surface of the iron filings. The possible adsorption mechanisms of iron filings and magnesite are electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic interaction. Our results provide a theoretical basis and restoration reference for preventing and controlling pathogenic pollution.

Key words: bacteriophage, ΦX174, industrial/natural minerals, industrial/agricultural by-products, removal.