Eco-friendly Nanostructured Materials for Arsenic Removal from Aqueous Basins

Abstract

The contamination of water basins used as drinking water resources is a topic of major concern for public health. Arsenic is one of the major sources of aqueous contamination of broad global-level concern. This metalloid reaches aqueous basins by natural and anthropogenic activities causing countless problems in the environment, so its removal is of great importance. Numerous technologies are used to further reduce or eliminate arsenic from aqueous systems using various materials as active components. Nanostructured materials offer large contact surfaces and unique properties for efficient arsenic removal from contaminated water by different techniques. Many developments have been recently proposed as sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for this purpose. In addition, there is promising evidence of the use of these nanomaterials for the removal of toxic metals from aqueous sources. The aim of this chapter is to present a holistic view of the most recent eco-friendly nanostructured materials used for arsenic removal from contaminated aqueous systems. Different aspects of each approach are discussed, such as the removal efficiency, the cost-effectiveness, the ease of manipulation, separation and regeneration, and the suitability for field application and the challenges that are involved.