Arsenic contamination of groundwater

PRESENTED BY
KAYNAT KHAN

Under supervision of
Dr. Ms Karuna (Asst. Prof.)

Chemical Engineering Department

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University
 contents

• Introduction
• Objective
• Review of Literature
• Treatment Methods
• Result And Discussions
• Conclusion
• References
 Introduction
• Arsenic is a chemical element with the atomic number 33, represented by the symbol "As" on the
periodic table. As a pure element, arsenic exists in various forms, each with distinct properties and
behaviors.
• Arsenic is not a single entity but exists in multiple forms, which can be broadly categorized into
two main groups:
• Inorganic Arsenic: This form of arsenic is typically found in minerals and geological formations.
Inorganic arsenic compounds are considered more toxic and include substances like arsenic
trioxide (As2O3).
• Organic Arsenic: Organic arsenic compounds contain arsenic atoms bonded to carbon atoms. They
are often found in living organisms, particularly in marine life. Organic arsenic compounds tend to
be less toxic than their inorganic counterparts.
 Introduction: sources

Natural Sources:

•Arsenic contamination can originate from natural sources, primarily due to geological
processes.
•In regions with certain geological formations, arsenic can naturally leach into groundwater
over time.
•This occurs when water interacts with arsenic-rich minerals present in the Earth's crust.
•As groundwater flows through these geological layers, it can dissolve and carry arsenic into
aquifers, leading to contamination.
Anthropogenic Sources:

• Industrial activities, including mining and ore processing, can introduce arsenic into the environment,
ultimately affecting groundwater quality.
• Agricultural practices involving the use of arsenic-containing pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can
lead to the contamination of groundwater through leaching and runoff.
• Improper disposal of industrial waste, including untreated effluents and chemical discharge, can result
in the mixing of arsenic into groundwater sources.
• Inadequately managed landfills and waste disposal sites can contribute to the leaching of arsenic into
the surrounding soil and groundwater.
 Literature review
S. Author Journal Title And Methodology Result and Analysis Conclusion
No and Details Objective
year
1 Shiv Scientific Arsenic Conduct an extensive review Identification of various The paper serves as a
Shankar World Contaminatio of the existing literature on natural and anthropogenic comprehensive resource
et Journal n of arsenic contamination, sources contributing to for understanding the
al. Groundwater. emphasizing both natural and arsenic contamination in interdisciplinary aspects
(2014) anthropogenic sources, global groundwater globally. of arsenic contamination
distribution, and associated
health impacts.

2 E.Shaji , Geoscienc Arsenic Conducted specific analyses of Arsenic contamination in Global action is
M. e Frontiers contamination regional data pertaining to the groundwater has impacted recommended, from
Santosh of Indian Peninsula to highlight approximately 230 million organizations such as
et groundwater: the extent of arsenic people globally, with 107 the UNEP and WHO to
al. focus on the contamination in the region countries affected, spearhead
(2021) Indian and its unique characteristics. particularly Southeast comprehensive
Peninsula Asian nations including surveillance and
Bangladesh, India, and awareness campaigns
China. addressing arsenic
contamination.
3 Anuradha Water Magnetic hetero- A comprehensive Magnetic sorbent Research and development
jaba singh science structures as review of existing particles has in this area hold the key to
s. et prospective sorbents literature and research demonstrated expanding the use of
al. (2018) to aid arsenic pertaining to the use of significant magnetic sorbents and
elimination from life magnetic materials for promise for enhancing their efficiency
water streams heavy metal ion efficiently in the global mission to
extraction, with a removing arsenic provide safe and clean
specific focus on from contaminated water for communities
arsenic removal. water sources worldwide.

4 Sushil r et. Asc Arsenic Analysis of various Environmentally Need for sustainable and
al. (2023) publicatio Contamination in sources of arsenic friendly and cost-effective arsenic
n Groundwater: contamination, its sustainable treatment technologies
Geochemical Basis speciation, mobility in technologies to along with proper disposal
of Treatment groundwater, and the mitigate arsenic methods for spent sorbents
Technologies efficacy of different contamination underscores the critical
mitigation importance of addressing
technologies. arsenic contamination in
groundwater.
 Objective
• To discuss the health effects of Arsenic exposure
• To study the various methodologies involved in reducing As concentration .
 Health effects
1. Skin Lesions and Discoloration: Arsenic exposure is known to cause skin problems, including the
development of characteristic skin lesions and discoloration. These skin changes are often one of
the earliest visible signs of chronic arsenic poisoning. Lesions may present as rough, scaly patches
or darkening of the skin, particularly on the palms and soles
2. Increased Risk of Various Cancers: Arsenic exposure is strongly associated with an elevated risk
of cancer, affecting multiple organ systems. Some notable types of cancer include Skin Cancer:
Prolonged exposure to arsenic is linked to an increased risk of skin cancer, particularly squamous
cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Lung Cancer: Inhalation of arsenic-containing dust or
fumes may elevate the risk of lung cancer, especially in industrial settings. Bladder Cancer:
Arsenic exposure via drinking water has been associated with a higher incidence of bladder cancer.
3. Cardiovascular Diseases: Emerging research suggests a connection between
chronic arsenic exposure and cardiovascular diseases. Arsenic may contribute to
hypertension (high blood pressure), atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and an
increased risk of heart disease.
4. Impaired Cognitive Development and Neurological Effects: Arsenic's impact isn't
limited to physical health; it can also affect cognitive function and the nervous system.
Prolonged exposure to arsenic has been linked to impaired cognitive development in
children, potentially leading to learning disabilities. Neurological effects may include
numbness and tingling in extremities, muscle weakness, and cognitive deficits in
adults.
Figure:2(Impact on human health)
 Methodology
• Precipitation processes

• Adsorption Technology

• Membrane Filtration

• Oxidation Techniques
 Precipitation Process

Process Involves coagulation with iron and aluminum salts

Adsorption co-precipitation with hydrolyzing metals like

A13+and Fe3+

Atmospheric oxygen, hypochlorite, and permanganate are

used for oxidation

Also capable of removing hardness or heavy me tal

Adsorption Technology

Adsorption is a process that uses solids as medium for the

removal of substances from gaseous or liquid solutions.

This process is driven mainly by van der Waals forces and

electrostatic forces between the adsorbate molecules and the
adsorbent surface atoms.

A wide variety of sorbents has already been studied in

several research areas. These include activated carbon, fly
ash, activated alumina, titanium dioxide etc.
 Membrane Filtration
In view of drinking water production, membrane filtration is a
technique that can be used for the removal of arsenic and
other contaminants from water.
Membranes are synthetic materials with billions of pores
acting as selective barriers, which do not allow some
constituents of the water to pass through
A driving force, such as the pressure difference between the
feed and the permeate sides, is needed to transport the water
through the membrane.
two categories of pressure membrane filtrations:(i) low-
pressure membrane processes and (ii) high-pressure
membrane processes.
 Oxidation Techniques

Oxidation involves the conversion of soluble arsenite to arsenate.

oxidation is an important step since arsenite is the pentavalent form of arsenic.

In developing countries, atmospheric oxygen, hypochlorite, and permanganate are the most
commonly used oxidants.
Oxidation of arsenite with oxygen is a very slow process, which can take hours or weeks to complete.
On the other hand, chemicals, such as chlorine, ozone, and permanganate, can rapidly oxidize As(III)
to As(V).
 Result and Discussion

Coagulation-filtration and softening with lime addition techniques are economical but display lower
efficiencies(<90%)

Among the most efficient techniques (>95%), adsorption using aluminum carbonates stands out as
one of the least expensive

Based on the filtration process use of iron oxide as an adsorbent has high removal efficiencies (over
95%)
 Conclusion

Arsenic contamination in groundwater poses a severe health risk and demands effective remediation
techniques.

Conventional methods for arsenic removal have limitations, including low adsorption capacities and
challenges with regeneration and reusability of adsorbents.

Nanomaterials, show promise due to their high surface areas, tunable pore sizes, and the ability to
modify their structures for specific adsorption purposes.
 References

• https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsenvironau.2c00053
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S16749871203021
15
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4211162/#:~:text=A
rsenic%20poisoning%20culminates%20into%20potentially,%2C%2
0metabolism%2C%20and%20toxicity%20mechanisms
.
Thank you