Iron Mixed Ceramic Pellet for Arsenic Removal from Groundwater

In this study, an innovative media, iron mixed ceramic pellet (IMCP) has been developed for arsenic (As) removal from groundwater. A porous, solid-phase IMCP (2–3 mm) was manufactured by combining clay soil, rice bran, and Fe(0) powder at 600°C. Both the As(III) and As(V) adsorption characteristics of IMCP were studied in several batch experiments. Structural analysis of the IMCP was conducted using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis to understand the mechanism of As removal. The adsorption of As was found to be dependent on pH, and exhibited strong adsorption of both As(III) and As(V) at pH 5–7. The adsorption process was described to follow a pseudo-second-order reaction, and the adsorption rate of As(V) was greater than that of As(III). The adsorption data were fit well with both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacities of As(III) and As(V) from the Langmuir isotherm were found to be 4.0 and 4.5 mg/g, respectively. Phosphorus in the water had an adverse effect on both As(III) and As(V) adsorption. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that iron(III) oxides/hydroxides are aggregated on the surface of IMCP. XAFS analysis showed a partial oxidation of As(III) and adsorption of As(V) onto the iron oxide in the IMCP. Keywords: Arsenic adsorption media, Arsenic removal, Iron mixed ceramic pellet, Groundwater, XAFS