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Arsenic Removal from Groundwater by Goethite Impregnated Calcium Alginate Beads

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Abstract

In the present work, goethite (α-FeO(OH)) impregnated calcium alginate (Cal-Alg-Goe) beads were used to sorb the arsenic from groundwater without disturbing its physicochemical characteristics. Beads were formed by dropwise addition of homogenized mixer of goethite and 4 % sodium alginate solution in 0.2 M CaCl2 solution. Charge, size, and morphology of sorbents were characterized by using various techniques. The results of batch sorption experiments suggest that Cal-Alg-Goe beads are very effective for removal of arsenic in the pH range 3.0 to 7.5, and sorption was more than 95 % in the concentration range of 10–10,000 ng mL−1. Beads were successfully tested for groundwater samples collected from areas having elevated levels of arsenic. Equilibrium sorption follows Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum arsenic uptake calculated was 30.44 mg g−1. The sorption kinetics could be explained by pseudo-first-order model, and the time needed for equilibrium was 24 h.

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Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely acknowledge the encouragement and guidance provided by Dr. B.N. Jagatap, Director, Chemistry group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Analytical Chemistry Division, Mod Labs Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India

    H. Basu, R. K. Singhal, M. V. Pimple & A. V. R. Reddy

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  1. H. Basu
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  2. R. K. Singhal
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  3. M. V. Pimple
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  4. A. V. R. Reddy
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Correspondence to R. K. Singhal.

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Basu, H., Singhal, R.K., Pimple, M.V. et al. Arsenic Removal from Groundwater by Goethite Impregnated Calcium Alginate Beads. Water Air Soil Pollut 226, 22 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-2251-z

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