A short review of immobilized nanostructured systems for arsenic removal in water purification

Anthropogenic activities such as industrial waste, municipal waste incineration, pesticide production, as well as wood preservation can discharge arsenic into the environment. There are soluble arsenic species that enter surface waters and can even leach into groundwater. It is estimated that more than fifty million people around the world consume water with arsenic levels above the maximum level allowed by the World Health Organization (0.01 mg/L). Among the soluble species of arsenic is inorganic arsenic (As⁺³), this species is highly harmful, causing acute or chronic hydroarsenicism. It has been proven that As⁺³ has impacts on the dermatological, cardiovascular, immunological, neurological, hepatic, renal and respiratory systems, with influence on embryonic development and with important carcinogenic properties. The inorganic As species (As⁺⁵), which unlike As⁺³ ions, is less toxic and is excreted in the urine, can bioaccumulate in various organs of the body. This review summarizes the adsorption capacity of both As species on various nanostructured systems and their regeneration/reuse for As removal for water potabilization as well as stabilization of nanomaterials. Focused on different nanostructured systems immobilized in different matrices such as iron, aluminum, natural and biological nano adsorbents. Its objective is to increase our fundamental understanding of this developing research topic and to identify future research and development strategies for a sustainable and cost-effective arsenic adsorption technology.