Arsenic removal from aqueous solutions and groundwater using agricultural biowastes-derived biosorbents and biochar: a column-scale investigation

• Published in: International journal of phytoremediation Vol. 21; no. 6; pp. 509 - 518
• Main Authors: Tabassum, Riaz Ahmad, Shahid, Muhammad, Niazi, Nabeel Khan, Dumat, Camille, Zhang, Yongqing, Imran, Muhammad, Bakhat, Hafiz Faiq, Hussain, Imtyaz, Khalid, Sana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 12-05-2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Arsenic; Arsenic removal; Biomaterials; Charcoal; Contamination; Drinking water; Fourier transforms; Groundwater; Groundwater pollution; groundwater remediation; Groundwater treatment; health risk; Pollutant removal; Salts; toxicity; Water treatment; Well water; toxicity; health risk; groundwater remediation; Biomaterials; contamination
• ISSN: 1522-6514; 1549-7879
• DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2018.1501340

In this study, column-scale laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate the arsenic (As) removal efficiency of different agricultural biowastes-derived biosorbents (orange peel, banana peel, rice husk) and biochar, using As-containing solutions and As-contaminated groundwater. All the biosorbents and biochar efficiently removed (50-100%) As from groundwater (drinking well water). Arsenic removal potential of biosorbents varied with their type, As concentration, contact time, and As solution type. After 1 h, the As removal efficiency of all the biosorbents was 100%, 100% and 90% for 5, 10, and 50 µg/L As-contaminated groundwater samples, respectively; and it was 50%, 90%, and 90% for 10, 50, and 100 µg/L As solutions, respectively. After 2 h, all the biosorbents and biochar removed 100% As from aqueous solutions except for 100 µg/L As solution. This showed that the biosorbents and biochar could be used to reduce As contents below the WHO safe limit of As in drinking water (10 µg/L). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated possible role of various surface functional moieties on biosorbents/biochar surface to remove As from solution and groundwater. This pilot-scale column study highlights that the biosorbents and biochar can be effectively used in remediation of As-contaminated groundwater, although the soluble salts in groundwater increased after treatment with biochar.