New Generation Nanoadsorbents and Conventional Techniques for Arsenic Removal from Waters

Abstract

Nowadays, with excessive use due to rapid population growth, growing industry, and technological developments, environmental pollution is also increasing and is reaching a point where it threatens the health of humans. The alarming increase in environmental pollution is mostly seen in the form of water pollution. Water pollution has reached levels that threaten human health. There are difficulties in accessing clean water in many parts of the world as a result of restricting the use of natural water resources polluted by both human activities and natural causes. Therefore, intense efforts are made to remove especially heavy metals and other harmful substances that pollute water. Among these toxic heavy metals threatening the health of humans, arsenic is at the top of the list as the most dangerous one. In recent years, many methods and techniques have been developed in addition to classical methods for removing pollutants from water. In this study, conventional methods used in the treatment of arsenic-contaminated waters, the difficulties encountered in the removal process, and the advantages and disadvantages of the methods were critically reviewed in the light of current and past information. In addition, detailed comparative information is given about nano-sized adsorbents, which is an innovative approach used in the adsorption method, one of the arsenic removal methods.