Arsenic and antimony in water and wastewater: Overview of removal techniques with special reference to latest advances in adsorption

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Gabriela Ungureanu (Author) FEUP; Sílvia C. R. Santos (Author) FEUP; Rui Boaventura (Author) FEUP; Cidália Botelho (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Environmental Management

Vol. 151

Pages: 326-342

ISSN: 0301-4797

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 187 Citations

Scopus - 344 Citations

Associated Projects

LA 20 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - LA 20 - 2013-2014

LSRE/LCM LA - RL1_P3 - Environmental Technologies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-3GB

DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.12.051

Abstract (EN): Arsenic and antimony are metalloids, naturally present in the environment but also introduced by human activities. Both elements are toxic and carcinogenic, and their removal from water is of unquestionable importance. The present article begins with an overview of As and Sb chemistry, distribution and toxicity, which are relevant aspects to understand and develop remediation techniques. A brief review of the recent results in analytical methods for speciation and quantification was also provided. The most common As and Sb removal techniques (coagulation/flocculation, oxidation, membrane processes, electrochemical methods and phyto and bioremediation) are presented with discussion of their advantages, drawbacks and the main recent achievements. Literature review on adsorption and biosorption were focused in detail. Considering especially the case of developing countries or rural communities, but also the finite energy resources that over the world are still dependent, recent research have focused especially readily available low-cost adsorbents, as minerals, wastes and biosorbents. Many of these alternative sorbents have been presenting promising results and can be even superior when compared to the commercial ones. Sorption capacities were accurately compiled for As(III,V) and Sb(III,V) species in order to provide to the reader an easy but detailed comparison. Some aspects related to experimental conditions, comparison criteria, lack of research studies, economic aspects and adsorption mechanisms were critically discussed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17