Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Pages: 188-196

Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

Volume number: 132

ISSN: 0301-4797

eISSN: 1095-8630

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.10.018

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Long-term consumption of arsenic results in severe and permanent health damages. The aim of the study was to investigate arsenate (As(V)) sorption capacity of termite mound (TM), containing mainly silicon, aluminum, iron and titanium oxides, under batch adsorption setup. The pattern of As(V) removal with varying contact time, solution pH, adsorbent dose, As(V) concentration and competing anions was investigated. Dissolution of the adsorbent was insignificant under the equilibrium conditions. Equilibrium was achieved within 40 min of agitation time. Kinetic data of As(V) adsorption followed well the pseudo-second order equation (R-2 > 0.99). High As(V) removal efficiency (similar to 99%) was observed over a pH range similar to 3-similar to 10, which is of great importance in the practical application. The Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms well described (R-2 > 0.99, chi(2) similar to 0.05) the equilibrium As(V) adsorption, giving a coefficient of adsorption 1.48 mg(1-1/n)L(1/n)/g and a saturation capacity 13.50 mg/g respectively. The obtained value of mean sorption energy (E-DR = 13.32 kJ/mol) suggested the chemisorption mechanism of As(V) adsorption on TM. The removal of As(V) was significantly decreased in the presence of phosphate ions. The As(V) loaded adsorbent was successfully regenerated using NaOH solution with insignificant loss of metals. Therefore, the results of the study demonstrated that TM could be considered as a promising adsorbent for the treatment of As(V) in drinking water. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Harvard Citation style: Fufa, F., Alemayehu, E. and Lennartz, B. (2014) Sorptive removal of arsenate using termite mound, Journal of Environmental Management, 132, pp. 188-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.10.018

APA Citation style: Fufa, F., Alemayehu, E., & Lennartz, B. (2014). Sorptive removal of arsenate using termite mound. Journal of Environmental Management. 132, 188-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.10.018