Arsenic binding mechanisms on natural red earth: a potential substrate for pollution control

Natural red earth (hereafter NRE) was used as a novel adsorbent to examine its retention behaviour in different inorganic arsenic species (As (III) and As (V)) that are abundant in natural water. Adsorption isotherms were constructed at pH approximately 5.5 for As(III) and As(V) in 0.01 M NaNO(3) at 298K for 5 g/L NRE system. The initial arsenic [As(III) or As(V)] concentrations varied between approximately 10(-5) and approximately 10(-4) M. The experimental data were quantified using single site or stepwise Langmuir models. Sorption maximum, was observed at approximately 0.173 mM of As(V). To reach the maximum surface coverage of red earth at pH approximately 5.5 As(III) requires approximately 0.308 mM of initial loading. When compared to As (III), As(V) shows strong affinity for NRE surface sites. This study suggests the potential of NRE as a starting material in decontaminating water polluted with As species.