Assessment of arsenic removal efficiency by an iron oxide-coated sand filter process

Abstract

Arsenic is among the most dangerous contaminants which can limit groundwater use for drinking water consumption. Among the most diffused As-removal technologies around the world, adsorptive media systems are usually favored for relatively low cost and simplicity of operation. This study examines the performance of a laboratory-scale iron oxide-coated sand (IOCS) column filter, to remove arsenic (arsenate (As[V]) and arsenite (As[III])) from groundwater. This technology could be adopted in small communities, as it showed consistent removal rates of 99% with an easy-to-operate process. Some considerations about the possible introduction of such technology in developing countries are provided, highlighting the general impacts to human health related to high arsenic concentrations in groundwater. This, among other adsorption processes, could be recommended as a sustainable mean of ensuring good drinking water quality in developing regions, reducing human health impacts.