A critical review on the research trends and emerging technologies for arsenic decontamination from water

To understand the current research output on arsenic (As) removal and research related to the As contamination, a bibliometric analysis based on Scopus database was carried out. The analysis includes the research covering the leading countries and year wise literature outputs. Bibliometric analysis revealed increasing trend in research published on As removal (more than 1200 articles) using physico-chemical methods during 1995 onwards and United States of America (USA) as leading contributor. Among different research institutions, Chinese Academy of Sciences has contributed maximally to research articles reaching up to 950 and maximum 635 research articles were published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology with respect to As removal using physicochemical methods. With respect to As removal using biological methods, around 400 research articles were recorded during 1995 onwards and maximum article contribution (1052) was registered for China followed by USA (964). Based on Scopus data 2021, maximum 222 articles on As removal using biological methods were recorded for the journal `Chemosphere'. The present review emphasizes on currently available physico-chemical as well as emerging treatment processes for the removal of As, generally occurring as arsenite and arsenate, from drinking water. It has been suggested by various studies that a combination of low-cost physico-chemical treatment methodologies like ion exchange, reverse osmosis, precipitation, filtration and adsorption along with biological methods can be a safe alternative for As removal from drinking water. Overall, the study suggests that there is a strong need for further research on efficient processes involving lab to land approaches for As removal from groundwater in order to reduce the toxicity and contamination of As in drinking water.

Automated summary

The study utilized bibliometric analysis to understand research output on arsenic removal and contamination, revealing a significant increase in research using physico-chemical methods for arsenic removal, with the United States of America and the Chinese Academy of Sciences being major contributors. The study emphasizes the importance of combining low-cost physico-chemical and biological methods for safe arsenic removal, and calls for further research on efficient groundwater arsenic removal processes.