Arsenic removal from groundwater by Anjili tree sawdust impregnated with ferric hydroxide and activated alumina

Arsenic is a toxic element found naturally in groundwater. Due to its carcinogenicity, risk for heart diseases and diabetes, arsenic needs to be removed from groundwater for potable application. ‘Anjili’ tree Sawdust was chemically modified with ferric hydroxide and activated alumina (SFAA) and used as an adsorbent for the removal of arsenic from groundwater. The adsorbent was characterized using SEM, FTIR to study the pore structure and surface functional groups. Effect of contact time, initial concentration, pH, particle size and temperature was studied. Arsenic adsorbed by SFAA followed Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Maximum sorption of arsenic by SFAA adsorbent occurred at pH 6.5. Arsenic sorption kinetics followed Pseudo-second-order model. The maximum sorption capacity at 303 K was found to be 54.32 mg/g for As(III) and 77.60 mg/g for As(V). Interference of other ions on the adsorption was in the order of PO4 3− > SO4 2− > HCO3 − > NO3 −.