Remediation of organic and inorganic arsenic contaminated groundwater using a nanocrystalline TiO2-based adsorbent

Environ Pollut. 2009 Aug-Sep;157(8-9):2514-9. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.03.011. Epub 2009 Mar 31.

Abstract

A nanocrystalline TiO2-based adsorbent was evaluated for the simultaneous removal of As(V), As(III), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in contaminated groundwater. Batch experimental results show that As adsorption followed pseudo-second order rate kinetics. The competitive adsorption was described with the charge distribution multi-site surface complexation model (CD-MUSIC). The groundwater containing an average of 329 microg L(-1) As(III), 246 microg L(-1) As(V), 151 microg L(-1) MMA, and 202 microg L(-1) DMA was continuously passed through a TiO2 filter at an empty bed contact time of 6 min for 4 months. Approximately 11,000, 14,000, and 9900 bed volumes of water had been treated before the As(III), As(V), and MMA concentration in the effluent increased to 10 microg L(-1). However, very little DMA was removed. The EXAFS results demonstrate the existence of a bidentate binuclear As(V) surface complex on spent adsorbent, indicating the oxidation of adsorbed As(III).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arsenic / analysis
  • Arsenic / chemistry*
  • Arsenicals / chemistry*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Groundwater / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Arsenicals
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium
  • Arsenic