Iron Sulfate Heptahydrate

Usage Areas, Benefits, Sectors

Learn the correct and current usage areas of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate such as agriculture, feed, water treatment, pigment, cement, chemistry, environment and textile.

What is Iron Sulphate Heptahydrate?

Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO₄·7H₂O) is a water-soluble iron(II) salt in the form of luminescent green-blue crystals. Its common names are “green vitriol” or “copperas”. Correct usage areas; agriculture, feed, water treatment, pigment production, cement, chemistry, environmental applications and historical textile processes.

Main Areas of Use

1) Agriculture (Plant Nutrition and Soil Regulator)

• Iron source: It is provided to plants in the treatment of chlorosis (iron deficiency). (pH reducer and chlorosis corrector in alkaline soils)

• Algae control: It is used as a moss remover on grass surfaces.

2) Feed Additive

• Animal mineral supplement: It is used in feed against iron deficiency, especially in young animals.

3) Water and Wastewater Treatment

• Coagulant: Used for phosphorus removal and removal of suspended solids.

• Odor control: Reduces odor problems by controlling H₂S formation.

• Drinking water – chlorite reduction (ClO₂ by-product): Fe(II) salts efficiently reduce chlorite to chloride.

4) Pigment Production & Coloring

• Raw material of iron oxide pigments: It is used in the production of red, yellow and brown pigments.

• Provides aesthetic contribution in construction and painting (e.g. rust color appearance in concrete).

5) Cement and Construction

• Cr(VI) reduction: Reduces harmful hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in cement to the less toxic Cr(III) form; critical in terms of occupational safety and regulations.

6) Chemical Industry

• Intermediate: Used in the production of ferric sulfate and other iron salts.

• Reducing agent: Functions as a reducer in chemical reactions (for example, in Fenton reactions).

7) Environment & Soil Reclamation

• Chromate and heavy metal reduction: It works as a reducer in hazardous wastes, especially in soil and water resources containing Cr(VI).

8) Historical Textile & Leather Applications

• Mordant (dye stabilizer): In the past, it was used in the production of dye stabilizers and inks in the textile and leather processing industries. (e.g. iron-gall ink)