Arsenic contamination of the underground water is natural and has become one of

the biggest reasons of water poisoning. Arsenic contamination of the groundwater

is found in many countries of the world and needs serious treatments. Arsenic i
s carcinogen and a root cause of many diseases, including cancers of lungs, skin
and bladder along with cardiovascular disease. There are different water purifi
cation solutions that can help in the removal of arsenic from water. These are g
enerally divided in two categories.€€

Small-scale water treatments

One of the simplest and cost effective methods of arsenic removal is done by Son
o arsenic filters that use three pitchers with sand and cast iron turning in fir
st pitcher, activated carbon, sand and wood in second. Plastic buckets are also
used as the filter containers.€
€
Under the sinks, units are also used for the removal of arsenic from water by so
me countries. This is also known as the point of use treatment. Most popular kin
d of domestic treatment makes use of absorption technology or the reverse osmosi
s. Activated aluminia and ion exchange are also used for the same but not that o
ften.€€

Large-scale water treatments

Some countries have to meet the water
residencies. This demands large-scale
methods of water purification used is
. Aqueous chemistry of the arsenic is
ved by the specific process only.€
standards before the water is supplied to
water treatment. Effectiveness of various
dependent on chemical composition of water
complex and affects the removal rate achie

Filtration or coagulation is used for the removal of arsenic by absorption and c

oprecipitation using iron coagulants. Coagulation using alum is already used by
various utilities for removing suspended solids and arsenic. Iron oxide filters
for absorption help in filtering the water through granular medium that contains
ferric oxide, which has higher affinity for absorption of dissolved metals like
arsenic. Iron oxide medium slowly becomes saturated and needs replacement.
€€
Activated aluminum is another type of filter medium that can effectively remove
the dissolved arsenic. It is also being used for the removal of undesirably high
concentrations of the fluoride. Ion exchange has also been used for the removal
of fluoride in high concentrations. It has been used as water softening process
es on the single home basis too. With the net ionic charge, it helps in removing
arsenic.€€

Both electrolysis and reverse osmosis can be helpful in removing arsenic with th
e net ionic charge. One of the latest technologies used for pressing this proble
m is in the form of SAR process. In this process, groundwater is recharged into
aquifer for creating an oxidation zone that helps in coprecipitating arsenic and
iron. Oxidization zone is created by arsenic oxidizing the microorganisms that
are helpful in enzymatically oxidizing arsenic. SAR is also considered waste fre
e and chemical free solution for the low cost arsenic removal from the groundwat
er.
€€
The above-mentioned tools are successful in removing arsenic from water. Therefo
re, do not fear arsenic contamination as various processes successfully help in
the removal of arsenic from the ground water while avoiding diseases and poisoni
ng.

Jaceline Peirrera is an executive for DynGlobal a leading global provider of wat

er purifiers and water treatment plants. DynGlobal is committed to helping provi
de clean, safe drinking water and renewable energy solutions to those on our pla
net facing environmental challenges and disaster response. For more infomation p
lease visit http://dynglobal.com/