Removal of arsenic from water using Fe-exchanged natural zeolite

Zhaohui Li, Jiin Shuh Jean, Wei Teh Jiang, Po Hsiang Chang, Chun Jung Chen, Libing Liao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

114 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An elevated arsenic (As) content in groundwater imposes a great threat to people worldwide. Thus, developing new and cost-effective methods to remove As from groundwater and drinking water becomes a priority. Using iron/aluminum hydroxide to remove As from water is a proven technology. However, separation of As-bearing fine particles from treated water presented a challenge. An alternative method was to use coarse-grained sorbents to increase the flow rate and throughput. In this research, a natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) was exchanged with iron(III) to enhance its As removal. Batch test results showed a Fe(III) sorption capacity of 144. mmol/kg on the zeolite. The As sorption on the Fe-exchanged zeolite (Fe-eZ) could reach up to 100. mg/kg. Columns packed with Fe-eZ were tested for As removal from water collected from acid mine drainage (AMD) and groundwater containing high natural organic matter and high As(III). With an initial concentration of 147 μg/L in the AMD water, a complete As removal was achieved up to 40 pore volumes. However, the Fe-eZ was not effective to remove As from Chia-Nan Plain groundwater due to its high initial As concentration (511 μg/L), high amounts of natural organic matter, as well as its low oxidation-reduction potential, under which the As was in reduced As(III) form.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)318-323
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials
Volume187
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011 Mar 15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Removal of arsenic from water using Fe-exchanged natural zeolite'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this