ABSTRACT
Arsenic is element 33 in the periodic table with an atomic weight of 75 Da. Arsenic is widely distributed in the earth's crust. It is found in groundwaters as arsenite or arsenate salts. Commonly available methods for analyzing arsenic in water include inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Reverse osmosis (RO) and anion exchange processes using iron-based products and activated alumina are very effective. Water softening is effective by sorption if magnesium or iron precipitation occurs, but not with calcite alone. The burden for arsenic treatment is significant in some small groundwater systems in the United States that are the most likely exceeders. Centrally managed decentralized Point-of-use systems might be the most appropriate technical and economic compliance choice, or even community-supplied bottled water for the small-volume drinking water and cooking uses because of the small volumes required.
