Arsenic Contaminated Groundwater in China and Its Treatment Options, a Review

Abstract

A high concentration of arsenic in groundwater is a worldwide problem, high concentration of arsenic in groundwater has been documented as a major health issue around the globe. According to WHO standard, the maximum contamination level for total arsenic in water is 10 μg/L. China is one of the most affected country facing health issues because of arsenic contamination in groundwater that is often greater than established limits for human health. Although arsenic is present in several geographical regions in mainland China, Northern China has been identified as high-risk area. It has been estimated that 19.6 million people are at risk of being exposed to arsenic contaminated groundwaterespecially rural areas, as those communities use groundwater for drinking water and household chores. To overcome the aforementioned problem, it is important to know the actual concentration level of arsenic in China and introduce a strategy to remove arsenic contamination. This paper provides a comprehensive overview on arsenic contamination status, sources and exposure pathways in China. It also aims to review the arsenic removal technologies which are easily available. Furthermore, it can be a useful resource for researchers as well as policy makers to identify and investigate useful treatment options.

Geogenic arsenic removal through core–shell based functionalized nanoparticles: Groundwater in-situ treatment perspective in the post–COVID anthropocene

“…The magnetic sorbents, adsorb metalloid (As) via surface complexation with the help of functional groups present on their surfaces which usually undergo protonation or deprotonation reactions under variable pH conditions ( Zhu et al, 2009 ). In the literature it was already expounded that the As(V) mainly exists as oxo-anions (H 2 AsO 4 − , HAsO 4 2− and AsO 4 3– ), within the pH order of 3–11 ( Sanjrani et al, 2019 ; Henke, 2009 ; Sarkar and Paul, 2016 ). Considering the importance of sorbents’ surface charge and pH dependency of As(V) adsorption from earlier literature, first we have examined the pH ZPC of bilayer–OA@FeO NPs and then investigated the effects of pH on As(V) adsorption via synthesized sorbent (bilayer–OA@FeO NPs) within 5.0–13.0 pH range.…”

“…But, nature itself has imposed certain limitations on the overuse/exploitation of resources and this law (Nature’s law of limitation) becomes pertinent for groundwater in which naturally present geogenic contaminants (arsenic (As), fluoride (F – ), antimony (Sb), phosphate (PO 4 3– ), selenium (Se), etc.) limited its application in a new geological epoch (the Anthropocene) where the world faces a new global level of water concern ( Kumar et al, 2020 ; Sanjrani et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Any concentration above world health organization (WHO) recommended value of 10 μg L –1 for As causes harmful diseases like, hyperkeratosis, diarrhea, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, cancer and arsenicosis ( Henke, 2009 ; Jadhav et al, 2015 ; Sarkar and Paul, 2016 ). To combat with pernicious As, variety of treatment techniques were proposed and most of them have been summerized in the form of short as well critical reviews by number of researchers ( Sanjrani et al, 2019 ; Kumar et al, 2019 ; Jadhav et al, 2015 ; Sarkar and Paul, 2016 ; Singh et al, 2015 ). However, use of conventional physicochemical methods has been confined due to excessive–energy consumption and release of hazardous chemicals into the environment.…”

POSS-Functionalized Graphene Oxide/PVDF Electrospun Membranes for Complete Arsenic Removal Using Membrane Distillation

“…Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a growing problem, threatening drinking water supplies in many parts of the world. Locations such as the Ganga River Basin, encompassing considerable parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Tibet; 1 the Amazon Basin, including regions of Brazil and Peru; 2 and the Datong Basin in North West China 3 are but a few of the many areas that are experiencing dangerously high (>10 ppb 4 ) levels of arsenic in the groundwater. Arsenic can exist in four valence states: −3, 0, +3, and +5, with inorganic As 3+ and As 5+ being the most common and relevant to groundwater contamination.…”

Untitled

“…Most of solid waste garbage is directly dumped in rivers, drains, streams, and creeks. Water becomes polluted, foul smelling and severely degraded (Sanjrani, 2019;Mahesar 2015;Sanjrani, 2017;Chudhary 2012;PAK-EPA 2005). Safe and clean drinking water is one of the important needs of life and society.…”