Extended triple layer modeling of arsenate and phosphate adsorption on a goethite-based granular porous adsorbent

The extended triple layer model (ETLM), which is consistent with spectroscopic and theoretical molecular evidence, is first systematically tested for its capability to model adsorption of arsenate and phosphate, a strong competitor, on a common goethite-based granular porous adsorptive media (Bayoxide E33 (E33)) in water treatment systems under a wide range of solution conditions. Deprotonated bidentate-binuclear, protonated bidentate-binuclear, and deprotonated monodentate complexes are chosen as surface species for both arsenate and phosphate. The estimated values of the ETLM parameters of arsenate for the adsorbent are close to those for pure goethite minerals previously determined by others. The ETLM predictions for arsenate and phosphate adsorption basically agree with experimental results over a wide range of pH, surface coverage, and solid concentrations. High background electrolyte concentration (i.e., I = 0.1 M), however, was found to strongly impact arsenate and phosphate adsorption on E33 probably because of the porous structure of the adsorbent, which cannot be observed for pure goethite minerals and could not be completely modeled by the ETLM. Prediction of phosphate adsorption isotherms at higher pH were relatively poor, and this may suggest searching for alternative surface species for phosphate. Since adsorption equilibrium constants of major coexisting ions encountered in water treatment systems for goethite minerals have been estimated by others, the application of ETLM theory to this common goethite-based adsorptive media will enable us to understand how those coexisting ions macroscopically and thermodynamically interact with arsenate and phosphate in the environment of adsorptive water treatment system in a way consistent with molecular and spectroscopic evidence.