Arsenite Removal from Drinking Water using Naturally available Laterite in Sri Lanka
Abstract
Arsenite, As(III) is the most soluble form of arsenic species. Arsenic removal efficiency by laterite (commonly found in Sri Lanka) was examined as a function of pH, initial arsenite concentration, laterite dosage, contact time and mixing rate. More than 90% arsenite removal could be achieved within 5 minutes when pH is around 10. By treating the water at this pH range, the current USEPA standard for arsenic in drinking water (10 ppb) can be maintained when the arsenite / laterite ratio is less than 10(µg/g). Results of the study showed that naturally available laterite in Sri Lanka can be used as an effective adsorbent to treat arsenic contaminated water.
ENGINEER, Vol. 47, No. 02, pp. 23-31, 2014
© 2014 R. M. S. C. Ranasinghe, D. R. I. B. Werellagama, R. Weerasooriya, published by The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka
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