Influence of groundwater composition on subsurface iron and arsenic removal

David H. Moed, Doris Van Halem, J. Q J C Verberk, Gary L. Amy, Johannis C. Van Dijk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Subsurface arsenic and iron removal (SAR/SIR) is a novel technology to remove arsenic, iron and other groundwater components by using the subsoil. This research project investigated the influence of the groundwater composition on subsurface treatment. In anoxic sand column experiments, with synthetic groundwater and virgin sand, it was found that several dissolved substances in groundwater compete for adsorption sites with arsenic and iron. The presence of 0.01 mmol L -1phosphate, 0.2 mmol L -1 silicate, and 1 mmol L -1 nitrate greatly reduced the efficiency of SAR, illustrating the vulnerability of this technology in diverse geochemical settings. SIR was not as sensitive to other inorganic groundwater compounds, though iron retardation was limited by 1.2 mmol L -1 calcium and 0.06 mmol L -1 manganese. © IWA Publishing 2012.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)173-178
Number of pages6
JournalWater Science & Technology
Volume66
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 8 2012

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Environmental Engineering

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