Present on the surface of many minerals present in soil are aluminum oxide sites. In water, the aluminum oxides transform into aluminum hydroxides creating minerals similar to bayerite. These aluminum hydroxide sites are absorbent to metal ions and chemical species such as Cu, Zn, Co, As. Therefore, understanding these aluminum hydroxide sites is important in regard to the transport and fate of environmental contaminants.

In order to study these aluminum hydroxide sites, we will be using gamma alumina. This research will concentrate on the aging process of gamma alumina. Previous studies have shown that the transformation to bayerite takes a little over a month. In this project, five different suspensions of gamma alumina under varying conditions will be studied. Temperature and pH will be two of the variables. Each suspension will be held in either nitrogen or air and arsenate will be added. These variables may change the structural transformation, which may affect its properties as an absorbent of contaminants. If time allows, the aged gamma alumina samples will be tested as an absorbent of metal ions or other chemical species.

Samples will be taken periodically over a 7 week period and tested using X-ray diffraction and FTIR.

The industrially produced gamma alumina may have an organic residue or other containment present. Pure and washed samples will be compared to determine whether containment is present or not.