Removal of metal and metalloid ions in water

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Removal of metal and metalloid ions in water

Authors : Yves ANDRÈS, Catherine FAUR-BRASQUET, Claire GÉRENTE, Pierre LE CLOIREC

Publication date: December 10, 2021 | Lire en français

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Overview

Naturally present in water, metal ions and metalloids can become particularly hazardous when they accumulate at high concentrations, notably as a result of industrial or domestic discharges. Their presence can then degrade the quality of aquatic environments and soils, with significant consequences for human and animal health as well as ecosystems.
In response to these challenges, regulations are increasingly limiting the permitted levels of these substances in wastewater and drinking water. However, treatment processes must continue to evolve to address the wide variety of pollutants and situations encountered. Choosing the right solution depends on factors such as the nature and concentration of contaminants, their origin, the receiving environment, as well as the treatment’s effectiveness, cost and ease of implementation.
From a circular economy perspective, the recovery and recycling of metals and metalloids also offer promising opportunities. Discover the solutions available to better control this pollution and recover these valuable resources.
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ABSTRACT

Metallic ions and metalloids are found in drinking waters, domestic and industrial wastewater, as well as runoff water. In low doses, these naturally occurring elements do not represent a threat to health or the environment, which is obviously not the case when the dosage becomes massive. Information about sampling, storing and analyzes of metal ions are proposed. The treatment processes: precipitation, coagulation, oxidation, reduction, ion exchange, adsorption, liquid-solid transfer, electrolysis membranes, phytoremediation are presented.

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 INTRODUCTION

Metal ions and metalloids are found in drinking water, domestic and industrial wastewater and runoff. A large number of elements are released into the aquatic environment through leaching from transport routes, as well as from soils which naturally contain metals and metalloids in various forms. It should be noted, however, that these inorganic compounds are necessary to life as trace elements, and their impact on the environment may be low. Nonetheless, as the poison is in the dose, the same cannot be said of massive discharges of high concentrations of metal ions or metalloids into surface waters. Their elimination is necessary from the point of view of human health, or to combat their direct impact on the receiving environment: soil, water, air, and therefore on flora and fauna. The recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), legislation via European directives and French decrees are particularly abundant in regulating concentrations in wastewater discharges, but also in water intended for human consumption. These health, environmental and regulatory arguments have led to the implementation of treatments to better control metal and metalloid levels in water. Relying on the physicochemical properties of each species, treatment processes are multiple and combine the use of adjuvants (coagulation, flocculation), adsorbents or ion exchange, oxidants or reducers, as well as membrane barriers, electrolysis and/or the use of plants in phytoremediation.

While this article takes a global approach to the problem of metals and metalloids in water, it also focuses on physicochemical and biological treatment and purification processes.

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KEYWORDS

Processes   |   Water   |   metals   |   Metalloids

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Removal of metal and metalloid ions in water

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