Adsorptive Removal of Arsenic Species from Aqueous Solutions Using Granular Ferric Hydroxide

Efficacy of arsenic(III) and (V) adsorptive removal from aqueous model solutions on the granular ferric hydroxide (CFH-12) was analyzed. Batch adsorption and fixed bed column experiments were performed on the laboratory scale. Maximum adsorption capacity of CFH-12 for As(III) and As(V) calculated by the Langmuir equation amounted to 43.75 mg/g and 44.04 mg/g, respectively. Pseudo-first and pseudo-second order equation was employed to description of adsorption kinetics of anionic arsenic species. A similar adsorption kinetics behavior of As(III) and As(V) was observed, relying on a quick ion adsorption in the initial phase, followed by a gradual process slowdown. The adsorption test results under dynamic conditions demonstrated high adsorbent efficacy and stability over a long period of time. The arsenic concentration in the effluent remained below the accepted threshold of 10 mu g/dm(3) during the column operation time corresponding to 15 thousand bed volumes. Hence, application of granular hydroxide to adsorptive treatment of arsenic contaminated water and wastewater from mine industry should be regarded as a robust and effective solution.