Abstract

Arsenic Removal From Water Using Anion Exchange Resin Spectra/Gel

Author(s): M.A.Barakat, S.Ismat-Shah

Arsenic in drinking water is one of the most challenging health hazards facing mankind today. Arsenic is a naturally occurring carcinogenic element and creates epidemiological problems through chronic ingestion from drinking water. Arsenic is present in water primarily as As(III) or As(V). Removal of both As(III) and As(V) from water by adsorption on strong base anion-chloride form has been studied. Arsenic concentration was measured by inductive coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. The resin was regenerated and the adsorbed arsenic fractions were eluted by using 2M NaCl. The effect of different parameters that affect adsorption process, such as metal and resin concentration, retention time, and pH, was investigated. Results obtained revealed that As(III) was poorly adsorbed, whereas As(V) was retained on the resin. The adsorption process was optimized by using 0.5g resin for 100 ppm As(V) at pH 7 for 30 minutes. The removal efficiency of As(V) was 99.2%.