Arsenate removal from aqueous solution using synthetic siderite

The study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of synthetic siderite for As(V) removal from aqueous solution. Batch experiments were performed to investigate effects of various experimental parameters such as contact time (10 min-8 h), initial As(V) concentration (0.5-60.0 mg/L), temperature (15, 25, 35 and 45 °C), pH (2.0-10.0) and the presence of competing anions on As(V) adsorption on the synthetic siderite. Kinetic data reveal that the uptake rate of As(V) was rapid at the beginning and 90% adsorption was completed within 10 min at 45 °C and equilibrium was achieved within 3 h. The adsorption process was well described by pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The adsorption data better fitted Langmuir isotherm at low temperatures (i.e., 15 and 25 °C), while Freundlich isotherm at relatively high temperatures (35-45 °C). The maximum adsorption capacity calculated from Langmuir isotherm model was up to 31 mg/g. Thermodynamic study indicates an exothermic nature of adsorption and a spontaneous and favorable process. The optimum pH for As(V) removal was broad, ranging from 3.0 to 10.0. The As(V) adsorption was impeded by the presence of SiO32−, followed by PO43− and NO3−. The adsorption process appeared to be controlled by the chemical process. The high As uptake may attribute to both coprecipitation of As with goethite and lepidocrocite forming during the reaction and subsequent adsorption of As on these minerals.