ABSTRACT
Arsenic (As) in groundwater is a greatest threat to the human health. This paper investigates the role of biochar nanocomposites derived from locally available rice and wheat husk followed by impregnation with iron-oxide to remove As from water. The batch adsorption studies showed high Langmuir adsorption capacity for As(III) and As(V) at pH 7.5 and 5.5, respectively. The biochar composites were characterized for their porosity, surface area, and crystallinity. Kinetic and isotherm data suggested removal of As due to electrostatic force of attraction between As oxyanions and iron hydroxyl surface via dissociative/associative pathways. Fixed-bed column adsorption studies were conducted at flow rate 5.0 ml/min. Regeneration and multicomponent studies revealed that RHIOB and WHIOB have high potential to remove As from contaminated drinking water.
