AWWA MTC69777

Groundwater arsenic contamination is a serious human health issue affecting a large number of people around the world. Iron oxide porous ceramics derived from carboxylated ferroxane nanoparticles have been fabricated and characterized. The material has been applied to the removal of arsenic from drinking water. Batch studies confirmed the adsorption type and showed good retention properties. The adsorption capacity of the iron oxide material is 0,16 mg/m2. The iron oxide nanoparticles were deposited on a tubular porous alumina support to create an adsorbent ceramic membrane. The breakthrough curves of arsenical solutions treated with the filter, when compared to the batch results, suggest that the filtration setup enhanced adsorption by reaching previously inaccessible sites. The device is economical and can be operated at low transmembrane pressure, which makes it an ideal treatment for rural areas. Includes 11 references, figures.