Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate Supplier South Africa

What Is Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate?

Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO₄·7H₂O, iron(II) sulfate, copperas) is an inorganic iron salt — blue-green crystalline granules or powder that is highly soluble in water. On dissolving, it provides ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) and sulfate (SO₄²⁻) ions. Ferrous sulfate is one of the most important industrial iron compounds and has wide applications in water and wastewater treatment, agriculture, industrial chemistry, and environmental remediation. In water treatment it functions as a reducing coagulant aid and phosphate precipitant. In agriculture it is the primary source of supplemental iron for iron-deficient soils and horticultural applications.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Applications

In water treatment, ferrous sulfate is used as a coagulant aid in combination with primary coagulants (alum, ferric sulfate, PAC) to improve settling of fine particles, colloids, and natural organic matter (NOM). It is also used to reduce chromate (Cr⁶⁺) to the less toxic trivalent chromium (Cr³⁺) in industrial wastewater containing hexavalent chromium from plating operations: 2CrO₄²⁻ + 6Fe²⁺ → 2Cr³⁺ + 6Fe³⁺. In phosphate removal from municipal effluent, ferrous sulfate precipitates phosphate as ferrous phosphate and contributes to overall phosphorus removal. It is also used in the Fenton reaction (Fe²⁺ + H₂O₂ → ·OH + OH⁻) for advanced oxidation of organic wastewater contaminants.

Agricultural and Industrial Applications

In agriculture, ferrous sulfate is used to correct iron deficiency (iron chlorosis) in plants, particularly in alkaline soils where iron availability is limited. It is applied as a foliar spray or soil drench and is commonly used in lawn treatment to acidify soil pH and improve grass greening. In iron supplementation, ferrous sulfate is a standard oral iron supplement for iron deficiency anaemia. In cement chemistry, ferrous sulfate reduces chromate in cement to prevent chromate-induced dermatitis in construction workers. Terracore Chemicals supplies ferrous sulfate heptahydrate in 25 kg bags and 1 MT bags across Southern Africa.