Arsenic Removal Research Articles

Highly efficient kaolin/g-C3N4/WO3 ternary nanocomposite for the effective removal of Arsenic ions from aqueous media

The effectual removal of arsenic ions from contaminated water sources remains a significant challenge in water treatment. In this study, we propose a novel composite material consisting of kaolin, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and tungsten trioxide (WO3) for effective arsenic removal. The composite material was prepared through a facile synthesis method, and its physicochemical properties were characterized using various analytical techniques. The effects of composite dosage, initial arsenic concentration, contact time and temperature on the adsorption capacity were systematically evaluated. The results revealed that the composite material exhibited excellent arsenic removal efficiency, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 114.63 mg/g. The adsorption isotherms such as Langmuir and Freundlich models were evaluated, and the data finds to fit well with the Langmuir model, suggesting homogeneous adsorption. The mechanism of arsenic removal follows photocatalytic oxidation of As(III) to As(V) followed by adsorption of As(V). The process of adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Additionally, the composite material demonstrated good reusability and stability over multiple cycles. The findings of this study contribute to the progress of sustainable and reliable water treatment technologies for arsenic removal, addressing a pressing global environmental concern.

High Capacity Arsenate Removal from Real Samples Using Dihydrotetrazine Decorated Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Zirconium metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) are potential candidates for decontamination of water resources from harmful pollutants due to their modulable porosity and chemical stability in aqueous solutions. Linker functionalization is an approach for tuning the host-guest chemistry of Zr-MOFs and extends their applications in environmental monitoring. In this work, the structure of UiO-66(Zr) (formulated Zr6(OH)4O4(BDC)6, BDC2- = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate) was functionalized with dihydrotetrazine group via postsynthesis linker exchange (PSLE) method. The functionalized framework, UiO-66(Zr)-DHTZ, was applied for the removal of arsenate ions from aqueous solutions. The results show that UiO-66(Zr)-DHTZ can adsorb 583 mg g-1 of As(V) at pH = 7 after 2 h, which is significantly higher than that of the UiO-66(Zr). According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), the removal mechanism is based on possible hydrogen bindings between free -C-NH and -C═N- sites of dihydrotetrazine function with -O- and -OH sites of As(V) species. Removal tests in real samples show that UiO-66(Zr)-DHTZ still has a high capacity (220 mg g-1) to As(V) ions in complex matrixes and also can decrease the concentration of As(V) below the detection limit (0.05 ppm) of the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) method. Since the dihydrotetrazine-decorated UiO-66(Zr)-DHTZ reaches one the highest adsorption capacities to As(V) species, it can be considered a potential candidate for water treatment in real-life applications.

Deep separation of arsenic and alkali from alkaline arsenic containing solution using hydrothermal lime precipitation method

A new strategy of lime precipitation of arsenic (As) under hydrothermal conditions was proposed for the treatment of alkaline arsenic-containing wastewater (AAW). On the basis of theoretical analysis, a study was conducted on the reaction law and mechanism of lime precipitation of arsenic in hydrothermal systems, as well as the environmental stability of precipitation products. Results of theoretical calculations showed that increasing the reaction temperature was beneficial the formation of insoluble Ca5(AsO4)3OH, which promoted the removal of arsenic. It is shown that the arsenic concentration could be reduced from 35.38 mg/L to 9.16 mg/L with increasing the reaction temperature from 90 °C to 210 °C. The experimental results further confirmed the above conclusion. When the reaction temperature was increased from 90 °C to 210 °C, the arsenic concentration in the final liquid decreased from 706.21 mg/L to 15.21 mg/L. The leaching toxicity evaluation results of the products showed that the stability of the arsenic precipitates was improved significantly with the hydrothermal conditions. The arsenic leaching concentration for the products obtained at 170 °C was only 2.1 mg/L, which was lower than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limit of 5 mg/L for solid waste containing hazardous arsenic. It is found that the improved stability of the arsenic precipitates could be attributed to the increased crystallinity and crystal size of the product obtained under hydrothermal conditions.

Removal of arsenic(V) using pure zeolite (PZ) and activated dithizone zeolite (ADZ) from aqueous liquids: application to green analytical chemistry

The primary aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the efficiency of pure zeolite and activated dithizone zeolite for arsenic(V) removal from aqueous solutions. The analytical eco-scale and analytical greenness for sample preparation results confirm that the proposed method is environmentally friendly. Zeolite adsorbents were characterized and tested for their ability to adsorb arsenic(V) from wastewater. Our study delved into arsenic(V) sorption behavior on pristine and activated zeolites. Through steady-state experiments using pure zeolite and activated dithizone zeolite, we examined the sorption of arsenic from aqueous solutions. We optimized operational parameters, including pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and arsenic(V) concentration. Our findings revealed that the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isothermal models were highly influential in fitting the experimental data, resulting in statistically significant outcomes. This study highlights the potential of zeolites as outstanding adsorbents for removing arsenic(V) from aqueous solutions. The calculated maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of pure zeolite and activated dithizone zeolite was 18.2 and 21.1(mg/g), respectively, with R2 = 0.999. According to Freundlich’s linear model, the experimental isothermal data indicated that activated dithizone zeolite has a higher value of kf constant and a lower value of the 1/n constant than that obtained for pure zeolite. These results imply favorable adsorption of arsenic(V) on activated dithizone zeolite.Graphical abstract

Simultaneous Removal of Arsenate and Fluoride Using Magnesium-Based Adsorbents

In this study, arsenate, As(V), and fluoride (F) were simultaneously removed from contaminated water using MgO, Mg(OH)2, and MgCO3 as Mg-based adsorbents, as existing studies only focus on their individual removal. The removal performance of As(V) and F followed the order MgCO3 < Mg(OH)2 < MgO. Under the test conditions, MgO and Mg(OH)2 met the environmental standards for As and F (0.01 and 0.8 mg/L, respectively), but MgCO3 did not. The As(V) removal performance was not significantly affected by an increase in the initial F concentration. It was concluded that As(V) was adsorbed and removed more preferentially than F by Mg-based adsorbents because a considerable amount of F remained even when the majority of As(V) was removed. Most arsenic (As)-adsorption data for MgO fit the Langmuir and Freundlich models, whereas those for Mg(OH)2 did not fit either model well. Additionally, the As-adsorption data for MgCO3 fit the Freundlich model but not the Langmuir model. Most of the F-adsorption data for the Mg-based adsorbents fit the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The removal mechanisms of As(V) and F using Mg-based adsorbents were assumed to be predominantly caused by ion-exchange and chemical-adsorption reactions on the adsorbent surface because no magnesium arsenate, magnesium fluoride, or magnesium hydroxide fluoride species were observed in the X-ray diffraction analysis. This research advances the sustainable As–F simultaneous treatment method using inexpensive adsorbents.

Elimination of arsenic from the reject solution of the reverse osmosis process

AbstractDisposal of the concentrate of the reverse osmosis process (ROC) is a challenge arising from implementing reverse osmosis‐based treatments for water supply. Environmentally friendly management options are related to technological changes tending to dismiss the environmental damage and offer reuse of the concentrate. In this work, we study the efficiency of a widely available material (laterite) for arsenic removal from raw ROC belonging to a treatment water supply plant. Assays of laterite were performed under batch conditions, by suspending it in raw ROC solutions enriched with As(V). Results indicated that arsenic adsorption was complete after 6 h of contact. Kinetic adsorption followed a law of the pseudo‐second‐order, where the rate was 96 g mg−1 h−1. The maximum adsorption capacity and equilibrium constant, which were determined by fitting equilibrium data to the Langmuir model adequately, were 154 µg g−1 and 0.9 L µg−1, respectively. The interaction between arsenic and laterite has a physical nature. From the raw ROC with an arsenic concentration near 150 µg L−1, a reduction of 62% was determined. The final concentrations of the treated solutions resulted in adequate for several reuse purposes in agricultural activities, such as crop irrigation and supplementation of animal drinking water.

Separation of arsenic from tin anode slime by vacuum distillation

Tin anode slime (TAS) is a high-value waste produced by electrolytic refining of crude tin. In order to reduce the discharge of harmful waste and realize rational recycling, a process of removing arsenic from TAS by vacuum distillation was proposed, and theoretical and experimental studies were carried out. The saturated vapor pressure of each element in TAS and the activation energy of arsenic evaporation during vacuum distillation was calculated. The evaporation temperature and holding time of vacuum distillation for arsenic removal were investigated. The effects of evaporation temperature and holding time on arsenic removal were discussed. The results showed that the residual arsenic content is 0.32–0.19%, and the removal rate of arsenic is 84.87–91.90% at 1153 K and the range of holding time is 30–120min. When the temperature is 1353 K and the holding time from 30 to 120 min, the residual arsenic content is 0.029–0.025% and the removal rate is 99.43–99.59%. The activation energy for the evaporation of arsenic from TAS in vacuum distillation is EAs = 52.76 kJ/mol. The removal of arsenic improves the recycling value of TAS, and provides ideas for treating harmful substances from industrial wastes and recovering valuable metals.

Effect of extraction parameters on the synergistic reaction mechanism for arsenic and mercury removal from natural gas condensate via LLE, vibrational spectroscopy and DFT calculations

Poisonous metals are often found as the basic constituents of natural gas condensate. Both arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) have a negative effect on the processes and control criteria in diesel production. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) is a simple and widely used method for developing processes to remove such toxic substances. In this paper, LLE investigates the extraction yield of As and Hg from natural gas condensate using HCl-MeOH, HCl-Thiourea and HCl-TMAH, at a temperature range of 303.15–323.15 K. In all cases, temperature leads to an increase in reaction rate and activation energy, thus affecting the ability to extract target ions. Density function theory (DFT) is used to examine the reaction mechanism along with the resulting vibration spectra in the removal of As and Hg, using HCl-Thiourea. LLE employs two different procedures based on the use of either an individual of combination of extractants. Enthalpy change (As = 0.9557, Hg = 1.3522 kJ/mol) indicates the endothermic reaction of the extraction process. Both the positive entropy change (As = 0.0202, Hg = 0.0286 kJ/mol) and Gibbs free-energy (As = -5.5548, Hg = −7.8961 kJ) indicates that extraction occurs spontaneously in the forward direction. This research shows promise for the development of high-yield and toxic free diesel production from natural gas resources.

Adsorption methods for arsenic removal in water bodies: a critical evaluation of effectiveness and limitations

The presence of arsenic in water bodies poses a significant risk to both human health and the environment. Arsenic (As) contamination in water sources is a global environmental concern caused by both natural processes and human activities. Due to its toxic and persistent nature, arsenic has detrimental effects on ecosystems and human wellbeing. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms behind arsenic accumulation in water bodies. In aquatic environments, arsenic concentrations in drinking water have been reported as high as 1,320 μg/L (Nicaragua), while groundwater levels exceeded 5,000 μg/L (Thailand), and wastewater contained up to 134,000 μg/L (landfill leachate in Brazil). Furthermore, bioaccumulation of arsenic (μg/g) in fish species ranges from 0.4 (catfish in the Paraná River Delta, Brazil) to 362 (Pteromylaeus bovinus, Northern Adriatic Sea). Recent research has predominantly focused on removing arsenic from aqueous solutions through adsorption methods. Notably, nanoparticle adsorbents and graphene-based adsorbents demonstrate a high capacity for arsenic removal from water bodies.

Preparation of ionic liquid modified graphene composites and their adsorption mechanism of arsenic (V) in aqueous solution.

Graphene (GR) is a new type of carbon-based material that combines many excellent properties. In order to give full play to the excellent properties of graphene and expand its application scope, this study used ionic liquid SbF6 to modify it and successfully prepared ionic liquid modified graphene composites (H/GR), and studied its adsorption mechanism of arsenic in aqueous solution. By investigating the effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, pH, adsorbent (H/GR) dosage, and humic acid concentration on the removal rate of arsenic in aqueous solution, the experimental results showed that when the reaction temperature was 30°C, reaction time was 1h, pH was 6, H/GR dosage was 0.1g·L-1, and humic acid (HA) concentration was 10mg·L-1, the best arsenic removal effect was achieved with a maximum. The removal rate was 99.4%. The equilibrium adsorption capacity was well modeled by the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tenkin models at 30°C. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was the most consistent, with a calculated maximum value of 137.95 mg·g-1, which is higher than most adsorbents in the field. In addition, it was determined that the graphene surface was indeed immobilized with the ionic liquid [Hmim]SbF6 by SEM mapping and EDS energy spectroscopy observation, and the adsorption isotherms and pore size distribution maps of graphene before and after the loading of the ionic liquid were analyzed by BET, which further confirmed a significant increase in the microporosity and porosity of the modified H/GR, and furthermore, it was demonstrated that the arsenic ions are chemically bonded with and indeed adsorbed on the surface of the H/GR by FT-IR and XPS characterization analyses. The results of all experimental data studies indicate that the main mechanism of As(V) removal from water by H/GR is due to electrostatic adsorption, ion exchange, and complexation between the modified graphene itself and the ionic liquid [Hmim]SbF6 itself.

Removal of arsenic from jarosite waste using hydrometallurgical treatment.

The jarosite waste used during this study consists of minute amount of arsenic that has a potential to be leached into environment when kept in open area. This study tried to recover arsenic from jarosite waste using hydrometallurgical treatment. The comprehensive characterization of jarosite samples was performed using various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and it was characterized as natrojarosite. For optimal removal of arsenic, the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied with the key factors, including dosage (A), time (B), temperature (C), and acid concentration (D) on the recovery of arsenic. The results indicated that the dosage (A) and acid concentration (D) demonstrated significant positive effects on arsenic recovery. As expected, the higher dosage and acid concentration was associated with increased recovery percentages for the arsenic from jarosite. Whereas time (B) and temperature (C) did not exhibit statistically significant recovery of arsenic within the specified experimental range. The contour plots showed the optimal operating conditions for the highest recovery percentage was approximately 52.61% when 2.5g of jarosite was treated with 10mol/L acid for 150min at operating temperature of 80°. Although our study showed very moderate recovery of arsenic, it is first report where arsenic has been removed from jarosite waste. Readjustment of range of operating parameters would provide more insight into the further optimization of the yield.

Removal of arsenic from arsenic-containing solution in a three-dimensional electrode reactor

Removal of arsenic from arsenic-containing solution in a three-dimensional electrode reactor

Regeneration of As(V)-loaded granular activated carbon through electrocoagulation.

As(V)-loaded granular activated carbon was regenerated through electrocoagulation assisted by elution with NaCl. Adsorption of As(V) by activated carbon was highest at pH6, and subsequent desorption in water was highest at pH 11, followed by pH3. Lower initial pH improved arsenic removal during electrocoagulation, NaCl concentration was insignificant, but removal increased with current density. Adding Fe(II) before electrocoagulation led to an improved removal efficiency up to a concentration of 30 mg/L. Regeneration of As(V)-loaded activated carbon increased with current density and time up to a maximum of 85%. An increase in NaCl concentration to 6000 mg/L further improved regeneration to 92%. Regeneration at a lower current density only dropped slightly from 54% to 51% when doubling activated carbon concentration, demonstrating excellent scalability. Repeated adsorption-desorption tests were performed, where 81% and 69% regeneration were obtained after four regenerations with NaCl concentrations of 6000 and 750 mg/L, respectively. NaCl concentration in the tested range did not influence electrocoagulation but improved regeneration through elution. The combination of electrocoagulation and elution facilitated a higher regeneration efficiency, meanwhile removing As(V) from the solution through adsorption on iron hydroxide. PRACTITIONER POINTS: As(V)-loaded activated carbon was regenerated by electrocoagulation with elution. Regeneration increased with regeneration time and current density up to 85%. Addition of 6000 mg/L NaCl further increased regeneration to 93%. Regeneration of 82% was achieved after four regenerations. NaCl did not affect electrocoagulation but improved regeneration through elution.

Worldwide Distribution, Health Risk, Treatment Technology, and Development Tendency of Geogenic High-Arsenic Groundwater

The presence of high concentrations of geogenic arsenic (As) in groundwater poses a serious threat to the health of millions of individuals globally. This paper examines the research progress of groundwater with high concentrations of geogenic As through a comprehensive literature review and analysis, covering distribution, health risks, in situ remediation, regulatory technologies, and development trends, to establish a reference for future research. The global distribution of geogenic high-As groundwater is mainly in inland basins and river deltas of countries in South Asia, East Asia, and South America. High-As risk areas can be modeled using hydrogeologic data and field measurements. This modeling approach allows for assessing and measuring potential areas of high-As groundwater. In order to provide safe drinking water promptly and effectively to areas affected by high-As groundwater, in situ rapid detection and remediation techniques have been given significant attention. This paper introduces household- or community-scale As removal technologies, including flocculant–disinfectant, bucket treatment units, use of activated alumina, use of nano zero-valent iron, aquifer iron coating technology, and bioremediation, summarizing the basic mechanisms of arsenic removal for each technology. Guaranteeing the sustainability of site-scale remediation technologies, reasonable aquifer management, and exploring alternative water sources are crucial for combating high-As groundwater contamination. Future studies should aim to elucidate the mechanisms of As’s coexistence with other pollutants in groundwater, effectively treating As-containing wastes or sludge produced during the treatment process and exploring better treatment options.

Embedding Fe(0) electrocoagulation in a biologically active As(III) oxidising filter bed

Long-term consumption of groundwater containing elevated levels of arsenic (As) can have severe health consequences, including cancer. To effectively remove As, conventional treatment technologies require expensive chemical oxidants to oxidise neutral arsenite (As(III)) in groundwater to negatively charged arsenate (As(V)), which is more easily removed. Rapid sand filter beds used in conventional aeration-filtration to treat anaerobic groundwater can naturally oxidise As(III) through biological processes but require an additional step to remove the generated As(V), adding complexity and cost. This study introduces a novel approach where As(V), produced through biological As(III) oxidation in a sand filter, is effectively removed within the same filter by embedding and operating an iron electrocoagulation (FeEC) system inside the filter. Operating FeEC within the biological filter achieved higher As(III) removal (81 %) compared to operating FeEC in the filter supernatant (67 %). This performance was similar to an analogous embedded-FeEC system treating As(V)-contaminated water (85 %), confirming the benefits of incorporating FeEC in a biological bed for comparable As(III) and As(V) removal. However, operating FeEC in the sand matrix consumed more energy (14 Wh/m3) compared to FeEC operated in a water matrix (7 Wh/m3). The efficiency of As removal increased and energy requirements decreased in such embedded-FeEC systems by deep-bed infiltration of Fe(III)-precipitates, which can be controlled by adjusting flow rate and pH. This study is one of the first to demonstrate the feasibility of embedding FeEC systems in sand filters for groundwater arsenic removal. Such systems capitalise on biological As(III) oxidation in aeration-filtration, effectively eliminating As(V) within the same setup without the need for chemicals or major modifications.

Polyethyleneimine-modified iron-doped birnessite as a highly stable adsorbent for efficient arsenic removal

Remediation of arsenic contamination is of great importance given the high toxicity and easy mobility of arsenic species in water and soil. This work reports a new and stable adsorbent for efficient elimination of arsenic by coating polyethyleneimine (PEI) molecules onto the surface of iron-doped birnessite (Fe-Bir). Characterization results of surface microstructure and crystalline feature (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), etc.) suggest that Fe-Bir/PEI possesses a fine particle structure, inhibiting the agglomeration of birnessite-typed MnO2 and offering abundant active sites for arsenic adsorption. Fe-Bir/PEI is capable of working in a wide pH range from 3 to 11, with an efficient removal capacity of 53.86 mg/g at initial pH (pH0) of 7. Meanwhile, commonly coexisting anions (NO3−, SO42−, and Cl−) and cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) pose no effect on the arsenic removal performance of Bir/PEI. Fe-Bir/PEI exhibits a good reusability for arsenic removal with low Mn and Fe ions leaching after 5 cycles. Besides, Fe-Bir/PEI possesses efficient remediation capability in simulated As-contaminated soil. The modification of PEI in Fe-Bir/PEI can adsorb newly formed As(V), which is impossible for the adsorbent without PEI. Further, the arsenic removal mechanism of Fe-Bir/PEI is revealed with redox effect, electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding.

Field study of an arsenic removal plant for drinking water using activated carbon and iron in a rural community in the province of Pisco, Peru.

The presence of arsenic in Peru is a serious public health problem due to the geographical extension of populations that consume water with arsenic concentrations above the value recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). An arsenic removal plant has been studied in a community of 50 families located in the province of Pisco, Peru, a filter media of activated carbon impregnated with iron (AC-Fe) was applied, the adsorption capacity of the material was studied against As(V) and As(III) species, also, a possible decrease in the adsorption capacity of chloride and sulfate ions. Modifications were made to the plant layout based on filtration columns and workflows. The arsenic level was reduced to levels recommended by the WHO, the plant production was estimated at 9,000 volumes of water bed until reaching its breakpoint. An optimum working flow rate of 1.8 m3 h-1 was found, it was also found that the zeolite column used for suspended solids removal did not contribute to the reduction of arsenic concentration, and the presence of ions did not reduce the arsenic removal capacity.

Soil Humic Acid Stimulates Potentially Active Dissimilatory Arsenate-Reducing Bacteria in Flooded Paddy Soil as Revealed by Metagenomic Stable Isotope Probing.

Dissimilatory arsenate reduction contributes a large proportion of arsenic flux from flooded paddy soil, which is closely linked to soil organic carbon input and efflux. Humic acid (HA) represents a natural ingredient in soil and is shown to enhance microbial arsenate respiration to promote arsenic mobility. However, the community and function profiles of metabolically active arsenate-respiring bacteria and their interactions with HA in paddy soil remain unclear. To probe this linkage, we performed a genome-centric comparison of potentially active arsenate-respiring bacteria in anaerobic microcosms amended with 13C-lactate and HA by combining stable-isotope probing with genome-resolved metagenomics. Indeed, HA greatly accelerated the microbial reduction of arsenate to arsenite. Enrichment of bacteria that harbor arsenate-respiring reductase genes (arrA) in HA-enriched 13C-DNA was confirmed by metagenomic binning, which are affiliated with Firmicutes (mainly Desulfitobacterium, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, and Clostridia) and Acidobacteria. Characterization of reference extracellular electron transfer (EET)-related genes in these arrA-harboring bacteria supports the presence of EET-like genes, with partial electron-transport chain genes identified. This suggests that Gram-positive Firmicutes- and Acidobacteria-related members may harbor unspecified EET-associated genes involved in metal reduction. Our findings highlight the link between soil HA and potentially active arsenate-respiring bacteria, which can be considered when using HA for arsenic removal.

A novel iron sulfide phase with remarkable hydroxyl radical generation capability for contaminants degradation

The hydroxyl radical (·OH) stands as one of the most potent oxidizing agents, capable of engaging in non-selective and instantaneous reactions with contaminants in water. Herein, we present a novel iron sulfide phase (S-FeS) characterized by an unprecedented structure, accompanied by its remarkable hydroxyl radical generation capability and contaminant degradation efficiency surpassing that of the conventional metastable iron sulfide phase, namely, the Mackinawite (FeS). In comparison to FeS, S-FeS exhibits enhanced degradation kinetics and higher efficacy in the removal of methylene blue, ciprofloxacin, and trivalent arsenic. Utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we postulate the mechanism for the exceptional contaminant degradation performance of S-FeS to be attributed to the increased exposure of the highly reactive (110) crystal facets. This research uncovers a new metastable phase that expands the polymorphisms within the iron sulfide family and showcases its capability for driving the oxygen reduction reaction.

Rapid arsenate removal using novel adsorbent: Iron–zirconium nanoneedle-modified cellulose nanofibers

Developing an environmentally benign, low-cost, and upgraded adsorbent possesses a great demand for arsenic removal from natural water systems. In this study, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) modified with iron and zirconium oxide nanoneedles (Fe-Zr-NN-CNF) were successfully synthesized for the rapid removal of As(V). Fe-Zr-NNs were homogeneously distributed on the surface of CNF using a simple hydrothermal synthesis route, which helped to overcome the agglomeration and loss of active sites of as-synthesized adsorbents. The vertical arrangement of the nanoneedles makes the active sites easily accessible to As(V), enabling its rapid and efficient removal. The surface morphology of the adsorbent and the successful chemical modification of CNF by impregnating iron and zirconium oxide nanoneedles were confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure, and X-ray powder diffraction. In addition, the metal concentration on the CNF surface was optimized by spectroscopic analysis to attain the superior efficiency of the adsorbent. The experimental kinetic data were fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, which suggested that the As(V) adsorption was chemisorption. The adsorption isotherm data were more closely fitted by the Langmuir model than by the Freundlich model. The maximum As(V) adsorption capacity (213 µmol g−1) was observed at pH 7.0 and at 25 °C. The kinetic study revealed that the As(V) adsorption rate was rapid in the first minute, and reached to equilibrium within 20 min. These results indicate that the adsorbent can efficiently and rapidly remove As(V) from natural water.