Adsorption mechanism of As(V) and As(III) on Fe–Mn binary oxides in synthetic and real water matrices

A series of Fe–Mn binary oxides with different Fe:Mn ratios (1:1, 3:1, 6:1, 9:1) were synthesized to investigate the optimal Fe:Mn ratio for the removal of As(III) and As(V). Batch experiments were performed to determine the rate of adsorption and equilibrium isotherms. Adsorption kinetics were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for both As(III) and As(V). The adsorption equilibrium data fitted well to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The maximum As(V) sorption capacity was observed at an Fe:Mn ratio of 6:1 (65.0 mg/g), whereas maximum As(III) uptake was at Fe:Mn ratio 3:1 (46.9 mg/g). Arsenic levels in real water samples were reduced from 37 μg/l to below the EU Water Framework Directive limit (10 μg/L) after treatment with Fe–Mn adsorbents.