| Numéro |
J. Phys. IV France
Volume 107, May 2003
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 177 - 180 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:20030271 | |
J. Phys. IV France 107 (2003) 177
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:20030271
Use of "red earth"-low cost remedial option for arsenic removal
R. Bhattacharyya1, 2, D. Chatterjee1 and G. Jacks21 Department of Chemistry, University of Kalyani, Nadia 741235, West Bengal, India
2 Department of Land & Water Resources Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Abstract
High arsenic groundwater has emerged as a niggling environmental problem in
the recent decades. Elevated levels of groundwater arsenic (
>>50ppb) in the Bengal Delta
Plain (BDP) threatens the lives of millions of people. The present study deals with the
adsorption pattern of AsO
43- and AsO
33-, the predominant arsenic species in groundwater
using red earth for the supply of potable water. The mineralogical study of red earth
exhibits the predominance of iron and aluminium secondary phases. Cost calculated for
the transportation of red earth approximates to US$ 16/ton/1000km whereas the
treatment process estimates to US$ 0.6/100L contaminated water. Batch and column
studies reveal the promising role of red earth in removing arsenic from water.
© EDP Sciences 2003