Introduction:
\nWater contamination is a global problem that can
\nresult in illness and death. Consumption of
\ncontaminated drinking water is particularly
\nproblematic in third world countries where
\ninadequate purification processes, coupled with
\nrapidly increasing population growth and
\nindustrialization pose serious health risks. One of
\nthe most common and deadly contaminants found in
\nwater is arsenic (As). Arsenic, a heavy metal, is a
\nkey toxic contaminant in the drinking water supply
\nof third world countries, often exceeding 10 \u03bcg\/L
\nmaximum limit set by World Health Organization
\n(WHO) regulations (World Health Organization,
\n2006). As contamination of drinking water is also
\nfound domestically, where 13 million people in the
\nUnited States are affected by exposure; these
\nnumbers dramatically increase where drinking
\nwater restrictions are less rigid. For example, 45-57
\nmillion people in Bangladesh have been exposed to
\n10 \u03bcg\/L or more of arsenic in water (Yang, 2010).
\nThe necessity of an effective system to remove
\narsenic from water is all too great. Current methods
\nemployed in some countries lack sensitivity, and are
\nonly effective in dealing with large concentrations
\nof arsenic in water, such as 100 \u03bcg\/L. These
\nsystems often leave residual As concentrations
\nabove the 10 \u03bcg\/L restriction set by WHO,
\n(Pittman, 2007). System enhancements are possible,
\nbut the cost of improvements remains prohibitive
\nfor many areas. However, recent studies have
\ndemonstrated that iron oxides have a high affinity
\nfor heavy metals such as arsenic and have opened
\nthe door as a cost-effective way to remove
\npollutants from water (Yavuz et al. 2009).
\nFerrofluids, which are suspensions of nanoparticles
\nof magnetite (a ferrous-ferric oxide), are magnetic,
\nstable, colloidal, and homogenous. (Maity, 2006).
\nSuch particles are typically suspended in a carrier
\nand can respond to a magnetic field but retain no
\nresidual magnetism once the field is lifted.
\nMagnetite nanoparticles in a liquid carrier can be
\nmanipulated by a magnetic field, retain no residual
\nmagnetic properties, and have demonstrated the
\ngeneral iron oxide affinity for heavy metals (Yavuz
\net al 2009).
\nIn the current investigation, the adsorption of
\narsenic by magnetite nanoparticles was evaluated.<\/p>\n
Additionally, methods and conditions that facilitate
\nthe removal of As by nanoparticles was evaluated.
\nResults of optimized conditions were compared to
\nWHO standards and data from previous studies to
\naccurately gauge the accuracy of results and
\napplications thereon. Due to the small particle size,
\neasy manipulation, and cost effectiveness of
\nproduction, use of magnetite nanoparticles to
\nremove arsenic from water could prove to be very
\nfeasible, particularly in less industrialized countries.
\nAltered conditions in this investigation were pH and
\nthe surfactant type. Three types of nanoparticles
\nwere tested- bare (uncoated), oleic acid coated, and
\nhumic acid coated. Different methods regarding
\nnanoparticle generation and coating were attempted
\nbefore the final particles were generated, and were
\nthen coated with oleic acid (Yavuz et al. 2009) and
\nhumic acid (Liu et al. 2008) respectively.<\/p>\n
\n
\u00a0Kushal Kadakia<\/p>\n