Arsenic Removal from Groundwater Wells by Means of Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles

Arsenic is a trace element that occurs in groundwater naturally as well as through anthropogenic activities. It occurs mainly as arsenite and arsenate in water. Levels of arsenic that exceed 10 ppb (parts per billion) in groundwater can be harmful to human's health if consumed. Twenty-one groundwater samples from Goshen County were collected and analyzed for arsenic levels. Five liters of each groundwater sample, which exceeded 10 ppb, were passed (1-liter per hour flow rate) through a flow-through reactor containing 1.2 grams of cupric oxide nanoparticles. Samples, before and after flow-through experiments were analyzed for a complete list of water quality parameters including arsenic. Results from those experiments were assessed to determine the efficiency of cupric oxide nanoparticles in removal of arsenic from groundwater samples. The effect of cupric oxide treatment on overall quality of groundwater samples as well as in removal of arsenic will be presented, a flow-through reactor containing 1.2 grams of cupric oxide nanoparticles. Samples, before and after flow-through experiments were analyzed for a complete list of water quality parameters including arsenic. Results from those experiments were assessed to determine the efficiency of cupric oxide nanoparticles in removal of arsenic from groundwater samples. The effect of cupric oxide treatment on overall quality of groundwater samples as well as in removal of arsenic will be presented.