The removal of arsenic from arsenic-bearing groundwater in In-situ and Ex-situ environment using novel natural magnetic rock material and synthesized magnetic material as adsorbent: A comparative assessment

Abstract The removal of arsenic from groundwater is an important issue for environmental safety and human health. Research focused on the comparative assessment of arsenic removal from arsenic-bearing groundwater and arsenic-containing-synthetic water (2 mg/L) using natural magnetic material (NMM) (rock) and synthesized magnetic material (SMM) by Bacillus pasteurii and humic acid. The arsenic-bearing groundwater (97.56 ± 0.05 μg/L) exceed the WHO limit (10 μg/L) of arsenic concentration for drinking water. The NMM contains dominantly magnetite, hematite, ferrihydrate, coesite, quartz, and stishovite. The NMM of natural rock exhibited the existence of iron (6.25–8.86% Fe3O4), which is widespread and important component in sedimentary rocks. The investigation on vibrating sample magnetometers (VSM) of NMM and SMM demonstrated the typical magnetization properties, which can be separated after arsenic removal process. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of SMM displayed the existence of organic matter decomposition during particle synthesis. The TEM and SEM exhibited the nanoparticle particle formation within the range of 10–39 nm (10–20 nm particle Fe3O4 through B. pasteurii). FTIR spectrum (before and after removal of arsenic) indicated the existence and binding nature in between arsenic and iron. >90% of arsenic was removed from arsenic-bearing groundwater using Fe3O4, Fe3O4 (N2-Environment), Fe3O4 with humic acid, and Fe3O4 with B. pasteurii after 25 min, 8 min, 13 min and 120 min, respectively. In case of NMM in Site-A, the arsenic removal was observed very fast as 85–87% within 30 s, whereas 95–99%, 93–95% and 88–91% removal detected using the sample of Site-A, Site-B, and Site-C respectively, after 120 min at natural pH (8.31 ± 0.05) of arsenic-bearing groundwater. Thus, NMM, (ecofriendly green material), can be applicable for arsenic removal from arsenic-bearing groundwater.