TREATMENT OF SIMULATED ARSENIC CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER USING GAC-CU IN BATCH REACTOR: OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS

This article deals with the experimental investigation related to the removal of arsenic from a simulated contaminated groundwater by the adsorption onto Cu2+ impregnated granular activated carbon (GAC-Cu) in presence of impurities like Fe and Mn. The effects of adsorbent concentration, pH, and temperature on the percentage removal of total arsenic (As(T)), As(III), and As(V) have been discussed. Under the experimental conditions, the optimum adsorbent concentration for GAC-Cu has been found to be 6 g/L with an agitation time of 24 h, which reduces the As(T) concentration from 188 to 8.5 mu g/L. Maximum removal of As(V) and As(III) has been observed in the pH range of 7-9 and 9-11, respectively. Removal of all the above said arsenic species decreases slightly with increase in temperature. Presence of Fe and Mn increases the adsorption of arsenic species. Under the experimental conditions, at 30 degrees C, maximum % removals of As(T), As(III), As(V), Fe, and Mn are found to be 95.5%, 93%, 98%, 100%, and 40%, respectively. It has also been observed that maximum regeneration (similar to 94%) of spent GAC-Cu is exhibited by a 5NH(2)SO(4) solution.