Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of As removal efficiency and health risks from aqueous solution using as-synthesized Fe0 and Cu0: modelling, kinetics and reusability

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Batch scale removal of arsenic (As) from aqueous media was explored using nano-zero valent iron (Fe0) and copper (Cu0) particles. The synthesized particles were characterized using a Brunauer-Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analyzer, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The BET result showed that the surface area (31.5 m2/g) and pore volume (0.0415 cm3/g) of synthesized Fe0 were higher than the surface area (17.56 m2/g) and pore volume (0.0287 cm3/g) of Cu0. The SEM results showed that the morphology of the Fe0 and Cu0 was flowery microspheres and highly agglomerated with thin flakes. The FTIR spectra for Fe0 showed broad and intense peaks as compared to Cu0. The effects of the adsorbent dose (1–4 g/L), initial concentration of As (2 mg/L to 10 mg/L) and solution pH (2–12) were evaluated on the removal of As. Results revealed that effective removal of As was obtained at pH 4 with Fe0 (94.95%) and Cu0 (74.86%). When the dosage increased from 1 to 4 g L−1, the As removal increased from 70.59 to 93.02% with Fe0 and from 67 to 70.59% with Cu0. However, increasing the initial As concentration decreased the As removal significantly. Health risk indices, including estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and cancer risk (CR) were employed and a significant decline (up to 99%) in risk indices was observed in As-treated water using Fe0/Cu0. Among the adsorption isotherm models, the values of R2 showed that isothermal As adsorption by Fe0 and Cu0 was well explained by the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model (R2 > 0.98) while the kinetic experimental data was well-fitted with the Pseudo second order model. The Fe0 showed excellent stability and reusability over five sorption cycles, and it was concluded that, compared to the Cu0, the Fe0 could be a promising technology for remediating As-contaminated groundwater.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability statement

The current manuscript and supplementary material contain all data produced and analysed during this study.

References

  • Akpor, O., & Muchie, M. (2010). Remediation of heavy metals in drinking water and wastewater treatment systems: Processes and applications. International Journal of Physical Sciences, 5, 1807–1817.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alghamdi, A. A., Al-Odayni, A.-B., Saeed, W. S., Al-Kahtani, A., Alharthi, F. A., & Aouak, T. (2019). efficient adsorption of lead (II) from aqueous phase solutions using polypyrrole-based activated carbon. Materials (basel, Switzerland), 12, 2020.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alomar, T. S., AlMasoud, N., Sharma, G., ALOthman, Z. A., & Naushad, M. (2021). Incorporation of trimetallic nanoparticles to the SiO2 matrix for the removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous medium. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 336, 116274.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alothman, Z.A., Shahid, M., 2022. Recent advances in removal of toxic elements from water using MOFs: A critical review. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 104319.

  • ATSDR, (2007). Toxicological profile for arsenic: Relevance to public health. Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp2-c2.pdf.

  • Bang, S., Korfiatis, G. P., & Meng, X. (2005). Removal of arsenic from water by zero-valent iron. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 121, 61–67.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan, Z., Zhang, Q., Gao, B., Li, M., Liu, C., & Qiu, Y. (2019). Removal of hexavalent chromium by biochar supported nZVI composite: Batch and fixed-bed column evaluations, mechanisms, and secondary contamination prevention. Chemosphere, 217, 85–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Imran, M., Iqbal, M. M., Iqbal, J., Shah, N. S., Khan, Z. U. H., Murtaza, B., Amjad, M., Ali, S., & Rizwan, M. (2021). Synthesis, characterization and application of novel MnO and CuO impregnated biochar composites to sequester arsenic (As) from water: Modeling, thermodynamics and reusability. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 401, 123338.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Imran, M., Khan, Z. U. H., Iqbal, M. M., Iqbal, J., Shah, N. S., Munawar, S., Ali, S., Murtaza, B., Naeem, M. A., & Rizwan, M. (2020). Effect of biochar modified with magnetite nanoparticles and HNO3 for efficient removal of Cr (VI) from contaminated water: A batch and column scale study. Environmental Pollution, 261, 114231.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal, J., Shah, N. S., Sayed, M., Niazi, N. K., Imran, M., Khan, J. A., Khan, Z. U. H., Hussien, A. G. S., Polychronopoulou, K., & Howari, F. (2021). Nano-zerovalent manganese/biochar composite for the adsorptive and oxidative removal of Congo-red dye from aqueous solutions. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 403, 123854.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jha, P. K., & Tripathi, P. (2021). Arsenic and fluoride contamination in groundwater: A review of global scenarios with special reference to India. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 13, 100576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanel, S. R., Manning, B., Charlet, L., & Choi, H. (2005). Removal of arsenic (III) from groundwater by nanoscale zero-valent iron. Environmental Science & Technology, 39, 1291–1298.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khalid, S., Shahid, M., Natasha, N., ALOthman, Z. A., Al-Kahtani, A. A., & Murtaza, B. (2022). Plant physiological responses after fresh and sewage water irrigation Plant health perspectives. Gesunde Pflanzen. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10343-022-00756-6

  • Kulkarni, D.-S., Tapre, R., Patil, S., & Sawarkar, M. (2013). Adsorption of phenol from wastewater in fluidized bed using coconut shell activated carbon. Procedia Engineering, 51, 300–307.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Wang, W., Liang, F., & Zhang, W.-X. (2017). Heavy metal removal using nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI): Theory and application. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 322, 163–171.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liú, D., Wang, G., Liŭ, D., Lin, J., He, Y., Li, X., & Li, Z. (2016). Photocatalysis using zero-valent nano-copper for degrading methyl orange under visible light irradiation. Optical Materials, 53, 155–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murtaza, B., Natasha, Amjad Shahid, M. M., Imran, M., Shah, N. S., Abbas, G., Naeem, M. A., & Amjad, M. (2020). Compositional and health risk assessment of drinking water from health facilities of District Vehari, Pakistan. Environ Geochem Health, 42, 2425–2437.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murtaza, B., Shah, N. S., Sayed, M., Khan, J. A., Imran, M., Shahid, M., Khan, Z. U. H., Ghani, A., Murtaza, G., & Muhammad, N. (2019). Synergistic effects of bismuth coupling on the reactivity and reusability of zerovalent iron nanoparticles for the removal of cadmium from aqueous solution. Science of the Total Environment, 669, 333–341.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naeem, M. A., Imran, M., Amjad, M., Abbas, G., Tahir, M., Murtaza, B., Zakir, A., Shahid, M., Bulgariu, L., & Ahmad, I. (2019). Batch and column scale removal of cadmium from water using raw and acid activated wheat straw biochar. Water, 11, 1438.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagra, M.A., Natasha, N., Bibi, I., Tariq, T.Z., Naz, R., Ansar, S., Shahid, M., Murtaza, B., Imran, M., Khalid, M.S., (2022). Biowaste-based sorbents for arsenic removal from aqueous medium and risk assessment. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, pp. 1–12.

  • Natasha and M., Khalid, S., Bibi, I., Khalid, S., Masood, N., Qaisrani, S.A., Niazi, N.K., Dumat, C., (2022) Natasha, Shahid, M., Khalid, S., Bibi, I., Khalid, S., Masood, N., Qaisrani, S.A., Niazi, N.K., Dumat, C., 2022a. Arsenic-induced oxidative stress in Brassica oleracea: Multivariate and literature data analyses of physiological parameters, applied levels and plant organ type. Environ Geochem Health 44, 1827-1839

  • Natasha, Shahid, M., Khalid, S., Murtaza, B., Anwar, H., Shah, A.H., Sardar, A., Shabbir, Z., Niazi, N.K., (2020). A critical analysis of wastewater use in agriculture and associated health risks in Pakistan. Environ Geochem Health, 1–20.

  • Natasha, Shahid, M., Khalid, S., Saleem, M., (2021). Unrevealing arsenic and lead toxicity and antioxidant response in spinach: a human health perspective. Environ Geochem Health.

  • Natasha, N., Shahid, M., Murtaza, B., Bibi, I., Khalid, S., Al-Kahtani, A. A., Naz, R., Ali, E. F., Niazi, N. K., Rinklebe, J., & Shaheen, S. M. (2022). Accumulation pattern and risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in selected wastewater-irrigated soils and plants in Vehari. Pakistan. Environmental Research, 214, 114033.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nawaz, S., Shah, N. S., Khan, J. A., Sayed, M., Ala’a, H., Andersen, H. R., Muhammad, N., Murtaza, B., & Khan, H. M. (2017). Removal efficiency and economic cost comparison of hydrated electron-mediated reductive pathways for treatment of bromate. Chemical Engineering Journal, 320, 523–531.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pelaez, M., Armah, A., Stathatos, E., Falaras, P., & Dionysiou, D. D. (2009). Visible light-activated NF-codoped TiO2 nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of microcystin-LR in water. Catalysis Today, 144, 19–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Periasamy, A. P., Chang, Y.-J., & Chen, S.-M. (2011). Amperometric glucose sensor based on glucose oxidase immobilized on gelatin-multiwalled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode. Bioelectrochemistry, 80, 114–120.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahaman, M.S., Rahman, M.M., Mise, N., Sikder, T., Ichihara, G., Uddin, M.K., Kurasaki, M., Ichihara, S., (2021). Environmental arsenic exposure and its contribution to human diseases, toxicity mechanism and management. Environmental Pollution, p. 117940.

  • Ramos, M. A., Yan, W., Li, X.-Q., Koel, B. E., & Zhang, W.-X. (2009). Simultaneous oxidation and reduction of arsenic by zero-valent iron nanoparticles: Understanding the significance of the core− shell structure. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 113, 14591–14594.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rezaei, F., & Vione, D. (2018). Effect of pH on zero valent iron performance in heterogeneous Fenton and Fenton-like processes: A review. Molecules (basel, Switzerland), 23, 3127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schöftner, P., Waldner, G., Lottermoser, W., Stöger-Pollach, M., Freitag, P., & Reichenauer, T. G. (2015). Electron efficiency of nZVI does not change with variation of environmental parameters. Science of the Total Environment, 535, 69–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shabbir, Z., Shahid, M., Khalid, S., Khalid, S., Imran, M., Qureshi, M.I., Niazi, N.K., (2020). Use of agricultural bio-wastes to remove arsenic from contaminated water. Environ Geochem Health, pp. 1–10.

  • Shah, A. H., Shahid, M., Khalid, S., Shabbir, Z., Bakhat, H. F., Murtaza, B., Farooq, A., Akram, M., Shah, G. M., & Nasim, W. (2020). Assessment of arsenic exposure by drinking well water and associated carcinogenic risk in peri-urban areas of Vehari, Pakistan. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 42, 121–133.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shah, A.H., Shahid, M., Tahir, M., Natasha, Bibi, I., Tariq, T.Z., Khalid, S., Nadeem, M., Abbas, G., Saeed, M.F., Ansar, S., Dumat, C., (2022). Risk assessment of trace element accumulation in soil and Brassica oleracea after wastewater irrigation. Environ Geochem Health https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01351-4.

  • Shah, N., Khan, J., Nawaz, S., & Khan, H. (2014). Role of aqueous electron and hydroxyl radical in the removal of endosulfan from aqueous solution using gamma irradiation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 278C, 40–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shahid, M. (2021). Effect of soil amendments on trace element-mediated oxidative stress in plants: Meta-analysis and mechanistic interpretations. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 407, 124881.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shahid, M., Niazi, N. K., Dumat, C., Naidu, R., Khalid, S., Rahman, M. M., & Bibi, I. (2018). A meta-analysis of the distribution, sources and health risks of arsenic-contaminated groundwater in Pakistan. Environmental Pollution, 242, 307–319.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shahwan, T., Sirriah, S. A., Nairat, M., Boyacı, E., Eroğlu, A. E., Scott, T. B., & Hallam, K. R. (2011). Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles and their application as a Fenton-like catalyst for the degradation of aqueous cationic and anionic dyes. Chemical Engineering Journal, 172, 258–266.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Surucu, O. (2021). Electrochemical removal of arsenic and remediation of drinking water quality. DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT, 216, 246–251.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tuček, J.i., Prucek, R., Kolařík, J., Zoppellaro, G., Petr, M., Filip, J., Sharma, V.K., Zbořil, R., 2017. Zero-valent iron nanoparticles reduce arsenites and arsenates to As (0) firmly embedded in Core–Shell superstructure: Challenging strategy of arsenic treatment under anoxic conditions. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 5, 3027-3038

  • Xu, L., Yan, K., Mao, Y., & Wu, D. (2020). Enhancing the dioxygen activation for arsenic removal by Cu0 nano-shell-decorated nZVI: Synergistic effects and mechanisms. Chemical Engineering Journal, 384, 123295.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye, Q., Xu, H., Zhang, J., Wang, Q., Zhou, P., Wang, Y., Huang, X., Huo, X., Liu, C., & Lu, J. (2020). Enhancement of peroxymonosulfate activation for antibiotics removal by nano zero valent tungsten induced Cu (II)/Cu (I) redox cycles. Chemical Engineering Journal, 382, 123054.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, J., Liu, W., Zeng, A., Guan, B., & Xu, X. (2013). Effect of SO on 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane degradation by Fe0 in aqueous solution. Groundwater, 51, 286–292.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Q., Wang, Y., Wang, Z., Zhang, Z., Wang, X., & Yang, Z. (2021). Active biochar support nano zero-valent iron for efficient removal of U (VI) from sewage water. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 852, 156993.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was funded by the Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP2023R1), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan

    Behzad Murtaza, Asad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Natasha Natasha, Muhammad Shahid, Noor S. Shah, Muhammad Asif Naeem & Sajjad Ahmad

  2. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Abdullah A. Al-Kahtani & Zeid A. ALOthman

  3. Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

    Ghulam Murtaza

Authors
  1. Behzad Murtaza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Asad Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Muhammad Imran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Abdullah A. Al-Kahtani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zeid A. ALOthman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Natasha Natasha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Muhammad Shahid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Noor S. Shah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Muhammad Asif Naeem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Sajjad Ahmad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Ghulam Murtaza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

BM conceptualized the idea, and performed analysis, write-up and supervision, AI performed the research work, MS participated in conceptualizing the idea, initial write-up and improving manuscript, and MI, AAA, ZAA, NN, NSS, MAN, SA, GM reviewed, edited, data interpreted, and improved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Muhammad Shahid.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Authors state no known conflict of interests.

Animal research

Not applicable.

Consent to publish

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 32 kb)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Murtaza, B., Ali, A., Imran, M. et al. Comparison of As removal efficiency and health risks from aqueous solution using as-synthesized Fe0 and Cu0: modelling, kinetics and reusability. Environ Geochem Health 45, 8989–9002 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01589-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01589-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation