Increasing the arsenate adsorption capacity of neutralized red mud (Bauxsol)

The possibility of increasing the arsenate adsorption capacity of seawater-neutralized red mud (Bauxsol) through acid treatment, combined acid and heat treatment, and the addition of ferric sulfate (Fe 2(SO 4) 3·7H 2O) or aluminum sulfate (Al 2(SO 4) 3·18H 2O) is investigated. The results show that acid treatment alone, as well as in combination with heat treatment increases the removal efficiency, with the combination providing the best removal. Adding ferric sulfate or aluminum sulfate, however, suppress the removal. The results also show that activated Bauxsol (AB) produced using combined acid and heat treatment can remove roughly 100% arsenate (at pH 4.5) with or without competing anions (i.e., phosphate, bicarbonate, and sulfate) when the initial arsenate concentration is ⩽2 mg l −1. Furthermore, it is found that the adsorption process using AB is not accompanied by the release of unwanted contaminants, and TCLP results indicate that the spent AB is not hazardous. It is believed that the AB produced here has good potential as an alternative adsorbent to conventional methods for removing arsenate from water.