Removal of arsenic from synthetic groundwater by adsorption using the combination of laterite and iron-modified activated carbon

Abstract

Groundwater is one of the most important sources for drinking water. Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater is a serious problem worldwide, especially in Bangladesh, India and South East Asia. Adsorption using appropriate and readily available adsorbents is a promising method for the removal of arsenic with applicability in rural areas. This work aims to study the removal of arsenic from synthetic groundwater using an adsorption column by sequential combination of laterite (LA) and iron-modified activated carbon (AC-Fe) as adsorbents. The effect of ratio LA/AC-Fe, flow rate, initial arsenic concentration and pH to the breakthrough time were investigated. Adsorption equilibrium and adsorption kinetics were also studied through batch experiment. The result was found to be an efficient and feasible approach for arsenic treatment from groundwater for ready applicability in rural areas.