The College of Science at the University of Kerbala discussed the master’s thesis of Zahraa Abdul Sahib Qasim from the Department of Chemistry, which focused on extracting and evaluating silicon compounds from local soil and applying them in element extraction from aqueous solutions using solid-phase extraction (SPE) techniques.

The study aimed to assess the silica content in local soil samples and extract it using the Sol-Gel technique from sandy soil in the city of Karbala. The extracted silica was then used to prepare organo-silica compounds.

The researcher further aimed to test the efficiency of the extracted silica and its organo-silica derivatives as adsorbent media for the extraction of iron complexes from aqueous solutions using the solid-phase extraction method.

The results demonstrated the potential of using locally sourced silica as an effective and low-cost material for separation and extraction applications. This opens new avenues for utilizing natural resources in environmental and analytical technologies.