Use of low-cost materials in the removal of arsenic from aqueous solution

The arsenic-removing capacity of some low-cost materials was tested by passing aqueous arsenic solutions (16 and 57 ppb) of pH 7 through materials packed in plastic buckets. It was found that the initial concentration of arsenic solutions and their retention time in adsorbents greatly affected the removal of arsenic from the aqueous solution. Maximum arsenic removal was observed when the packed materials were exposed to 16 ppb of arsenic solution. With 57 ppb of arsenic solution, arsenic removal was reduced on that of 16 ppb; however, the reduced arsenic concentration was close to the recommendations of the World Health Organization drinking water quality guidelines.