Adsorption of arsenic species from water using activated siderite-hematite column filters

Arsenic is present at relatively high concentrations in surface water and groundwater as a result of both natural impacts and anthropogenic discharge, which requires proper treatment before use. The present study describes As adsorption on a siderite-hematite filter as a function of activating condition, empty bed contact time, and As species. Hydrogen peroxide activating increased As adsorption on siderite by 16.2 microg/g, and on hematite by 13.0 microg/g. The H2O2 conditioning enhanced adsorption efficiency of activated siderite-hematite filters up to throughput of 500 pore volumes of 500 microg/L As water. At values greater than 47 min, the empty bed contact time (EBCT) had only a weak influence on the removal capacity of pristine siderite-hematite filters. Due to the formation of fresh Fe(III)-oxide layer in the H2O2-conditioned filter and the pristine hematite-siderite filter, both of them may be utilized as a cost-effective reactor for treating As water. A toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test showed that the spent minerals were not hazardous and could be safely landfilled.