Arsenic removal technologies and future trends: A mini review

Abstract

Arsenic contamination has been widely recognized as one of the most consequential environmental pollutants due to its anthropogenic activities. Arsenic toxicity and remediation have become the focus of many institutions, including industries, environmental groups, and the general public. The treatment of arsenic contamination is of irrefutable significance to lower floras and faunas, humanity, and their living ecosystem. This review comprehensively examines different arsenic toxicities to the environment and their associated removal techniques. To begin with, the appraisal focuses on the general background of arsenic occurrences in the environment, its related health hazards, and measurement techniques. In addition, it also provides a comprehensive discussion of how arsenic impurities can be removed from the environment using diverse established and advanced technologies like adsorption, ion exchanges, electrokinetic processes, electrocoagulation, chemical precipitation, phytoremediation, nano phytoremediation, membrane technology, and phytobial remediation. Finally, the pros and cons of the remediation/removal methods are enumerated, as well as their principal ongoing accomplishments. The simplicity, low cost, and easy operational procedure of adsorption technique and use of novel functional materials such as graphite oxides, metal organic frameworks, carbon nanotubes and other new forms of functional materials are better future alternatives for arsenic removal.