Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a global problem which can be exacerbated in developing countries due to treatment costs. Based on the sophistication and applicability of current technologies, there is room for improved arsenic methods based on low cost, recoverable materials. Herein, this work investigates the potential for nanoscale magnetite (unmodified vs. surface stabilized) to treat dissolved As(V) under relevant groundwater conditions. Both the effect of individual and combinatorial addition of different anions (HCO3-, SO42-, PO43-, SiO32-) on arsenic sorption at varied pH (6.5-7.5-8.5) were examined. Results show that in addition to available surface area, presence of competing anions play a key role during As (V) adsorption. However, the effect of the competing anions when combined did not show an additive increase in interfering effects. In conclusion, SiO32- dominates adsorption processes and the effect of individual anions is correlated with complex stabilities which decrease in the order of ligand hardness.

Effect of competing anions on arsenic removal via magnetite nanoparticles

245th National Meeting (2013)

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