Recent strategies for the removal of iron from water: A review

Iron is the 4th most abundant element on Earth and is found naturally in the water in diverse forms. It is a vital mineral nutrient, which acts as a co-factor for many enzymes and plays role in the maintenance of energy metabolism. According to WHO standards, the permissible limit of iron in drinking water is 0.3 mg/L. However, the dumping of domestic and industrial wastes in the water bodies is responsible for elevated levels of iron in the water. The continuous consumption of such water with high iron content may lead to various health problems. Bad odor, unpleasant taste, red color of water and stains on laundry and plumbing fixtures are also some of the issues related with high iron content in water. A variety of techniques have been adapted for the remediation of iron from different water sources. This review summarizes the different approaches used worldwide till date for the removal of high iron content from water. These methods have been classified into 4 different categories: conventional strategies, biological strategies, membrane technology-based strategies and nanotechnology-based strategies. The conventional strategies involve 11 different remediation techniques for removing iron from water, which have different iron removal efficiencies. The review also classifies the diverse types of iron available in water based on its mineral form, solubility and chemical nature.