Adsorption of Inorganic and Organic Arsenic Compounds by Aluminium-loaded Coral Limestone

Abstract

Coral limestones were treated with an aqueous solution of aluminium sulfate and thereby aluminium-loaded coral limestones (Al-CL) were prepared. By use of Al-CL as an adsorbent, the adsorption of inorganic arsenic compounds (arsenate [As(V)] and arsenite [As(III)] and of organic arsenic compounds (methylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, and arsenobetaine) was examined. The adsorption ability of Al-CL is superior to that of iron(III)-loaded coral limestone (Fe-CL) for As(V), As(III), methylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid. The adsorption of As(V) and As(III) is almost independent of the initial pH over a wide range (2 or 3 to 11). The addition of other anions, such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate and acetate, in the solution does not affect the adsorption of As(V) and As(III), whereas the addition of phosphate greatly interferes with the adsorption. Arsenic adsorption is effectively applied to a column-type operation and the adsorption capability for As(V) is 150 μg/g coral limestone.