Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water

Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water 1
REMOVAL OF ARSENIC FROM DRINKING WATER
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Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water 2
Table of Content
Removal of Arsenic from drinking water........................................................................................3
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Justification of the Study..............................................................................................................3
Severe Health Problems...............................................................................................................4
The chemical composition of arsenic...........................................................................................5
2.0 Commonly Used Techniques in the Removal of Arsenic from Water......................................5
Arsenic Removal by Coagulation and Filtration..........................................................................6
Arsenic Removal by Membrane Technology..............................................................................6
Arsenic Removal through Sorption Methods...............................................................................6
Arsenic Removal by Precipitation Methods................................................................................7
Coagulation Followed By Microfiltration (C/MF Process).........................................................7
Lime Softening.............................................................................................................................8
3.0 Advanced Treatment Methods...................................................................................................8
Hybrid Membrane Systems..........................................................................................................8
Iron –Modified Bamboo Charcoal...............................................................................................9
Electrocoagulation.......................................................................................................................9
4.0 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................10
5.0 List of References....................................................................................................................11

Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water 3
Removal of Arsenic from drinking water
1.0 Introduction
The spread of arsenic in the environment is more than it was imagined. Currently, it is distributed
on a wide scale in the environment. The natural processes that introduce arsenic in surface water
include mineral leaching, soil erosion as well as weathering. Industrial arsenic and enriched
arsenic geothermal waters significantly contribute to the growth of arsenic amounts in surface
waters (Dimitrovski et al 2012, p.14). Arsenic also exists in oxidation states resulting in a variety
of compounds. Inorganic form, arsenic contains elements such as carbon. The inorganic types of
arsenic mixes are more lethal than natural ones. The inorganic forms of arsenic readily react with
body cells, displacing certain elements in the cell and consequently altering the function of the
cell.
Arsenic is applied in a variety of ways to produce certain products. It is used in the
production of CCA, the common wood preservative in the world. It is also used in the production
of alloys that are used in lead-acid batteries as well as semiconductor material manufacture.
Additionally, metallic arsenic can be added in alloys that are involved in metal, automotive
solder and ammunition production. Arsenic gets into surface water through industrial waste
discharge or geothermal waters. Initially, groundwater was regarded as safe but after extensive
research, it has been noted that groundwater has started to be contaminated with arsenic (WHO
2008). Arsenic is an inorganic substance that is found in numerous drinking water resources in
the world.
In Malaysia, the spread of arsenic contamination is caused by tin mining tools which
leach into river waters and groundwater. These waters subsequently contaminate local vegetables
as well as fish stocks in Malaysia. In polluted water, arsenic concentration ranges between 0,001
and 0.55mg/l. The maximum arsenic concentration levels that have been reported are 0.125mg/l
in sediment and 0.003 and 0.08 mg/l in plant and fish (Howard 2003, P.23). China, Chile,
Australia, Hungary, Thailand and the USA are among the countries that reported a serious health
hazard from arsenic in drinking water.

Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water 4
The occurrence of cancer of the skin, kidney, bladder and lungs are some of the severe
consequences of arsenic intoxication (Mass et al. 2001, p.18). As much as Bangladesh consumes
groundwater, the problem of arsenic contamination is not different to Bangladesh. The problem
of groundwater arsenic contamination is increasingly soaring in many developed and developing
countries. In the Western US, the use of groundwater for drinking purposes has been adversely
affected as well as Mexico (Shih 2005, p.39). The Australia, Europe, Asia, North and South
American communities are likewise confronting the issue of arsenic-debased drinking water. The
communities in Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Mexico are also affected (Shevade and Ford
2004, p.21). The arsenic drinking water problem in Mexico and Argentina has been so severe to
an extent of achieving state acknowledgement as a public health concern. The impacts of arsenic
on drinking water are the worldwide problem and have affected millions of people. It is projected
that the affected population is likely to rise in future.
Justification of the Study
The contamination of arsenic in both groundwater and surface water is a global problem
which has been reported by several studies in the world. Some of the countries that have been
affected include New Zealand, the USA, Italy, Argentina, India and Malaysia. Studies have
indicated that arsenic causes numerous damages to human health. The increased consumption of
water that contains arsenic contributes to the development of kidney, bladder and liver tumour
alongside skin and circulatory system damages. From these studies, it clear that arsenic
contributes to numerous health problems to people and its removal from drinking water will
immensely reduce health problems in human. The removal of arsenic in drinking will be
achieved through the use of the conventional methods such as ion exchange, adsorption,
coagulation and precipitation. Other advanced techniques have been established for the same.
Therefore, the removal of arsenic in drinking will be of significance to the health of people.
Severe Health Problems
Over the past three decades, arsenic occurrences in drinking water have been recognized as
one of the main public health issues in the world. The irritation of the digestive tract, vomiting,
diarrhoea and nausea are some of the symptoms that are related to severe arsenic exposure. The
distinct skin abnormalities contributed by acute arsenic consumption include the appearance of
small corns on the sole, trunk and the dark or light spots on the skin which progress to skin
cancer. The use of chronic arsenic is related to increase liver, cancer and kidney risks (Choong et