A transport mechanism in hollow nylon fiber reverse osmosis membranes for the removal of ddt and aldrin from water

The DuPont hollow nylon fiber reverse osmosis membranes were investigated for use in the removal of DDT and Aldrin from aqueous solution. Because these membranes were developed for the demineralization of brackish waters the removal characteristics for the pesticides were compared with the removal characteristics for the ions commonly found in brackish and hard waters. These membranes rejected 85-95 per cent of the brackish-producing ions. Such inorganic ions with respect to the membrane were classified as membrane-non-interacting solutes. DDT and Aldrin were classified as membrane-interacting solutes, and thus the concept of solute rejection by the membrane was different from that which had been developed for the inorganic ions.