CLU-IN | Contaminants > Arsenic > Treatment Technologies

For more information on Arsenic Treatment, please contact:

Linda Fiedler
Technology Assessment Branch
PH: (703) 603-7194 | Email: fiedler.linda@epa.gov

Arsenic

Treatment Technologies

Overview

Arsenic cannot be destroyed in the environment; it can only change its form or become attached to or separated from particles. It may change its form by reacting with oxygen or other molecules present in air, water, or soil, or by the metabolic action of of plants or animals.

Arsenic is a contaminant of concern in ground water at many remediation sites. Because it readily changes valence states and reacts to form species with varying toxicity and mobility, effective treatment of arsenic can be challenging. Treatment of contaminated groundwater can result in residuals that, under some environmental conditions, have unstable toxicity and mobility. In addition, the revised MCL for arsenic in drinking water could result in lower treatment goals for aboveground treatment systems. A lower treatment goal may significantly affect the selection, design, cost, and operation of arsenic treatment systems.

Adapted from:

"ATSDR Public Health Statement for Arsenic." Sep 2000

U.S. EPA. Arsenic Treatment Technologies for Soil, Waste, and Water. EPA 542-R-02-004, 2002.

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Overview Reports | Cost Analysis | Specific Treatment Technologies | Site-Specific Information | Literature References

Overview Reports

Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water
Bianchelli, Tatiana (ed.)
Nova Science Publishers. ISBN:1590337239, 150 pp., 2003.

Arsenic Removal in Water Treatment Facilities: Survey of Geochemical Factors and Pilot Plant Experiments
S.D. Wilson, W.R. Kelly, and T.R. Holm, and J.L. Talbott. 79 pp, 2002.
Contact: Steve Wilson swilson@sws.uiuc.edu

Arsenic Treatment Technologies for Soil, Waste, and Water
EPA 542-R-02-004, 1 Volume + 2 Appendices, 2002
Contact: Linda Fiedler, fiedler.linda@epa.gov
Appendix A: Literature Search Results (367K/PDF)
Appendix B: Sites with Arsenic as a Superfund Constituent of Concern (137K/PDF)

This report summarizes information on 13 technologies used to treat arsenic: in situ soil flushing, solidification/stabilization, vitrification, soil washing/acid extraction, pyrometallurgical treatment, electrokinetics, and phytoremediation for soil; precipitation-coprecipitation, membrane filtration, adsorption, ion exchange, permeable reactive barriers, and biological treatment for water.

Arsenic Treatment Technology Evaluation Handbook for Small Systems
U.S. EPA, Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water.
EPA 816-R-03-014, 150 pp, 2003.
Contact: Safe Drinking Water Hotline, hotline-sdwa@epa.gov

Chemistry and Treatment of Arsenic in Drinking Water
Narasimhan, Ramesh, Bruce Thomson, Joe Chwirka, & Jerry Lowry.
American Water Works Association. ISBN:1583212760, 550 pp., 2005.

Disposal of Waste Resulting from Arsenic Removal Processes
D. Cornwell, M. MacPhee, R. Mutter, J. Novak, and M. Edwards.
IWA Pub., London. AwwaRF Report 90953F, ISBN: 1843398559, 206 pp, 2004 [Originally released to Awwa Research Foundation subscribers in 2003]

The objective of this work was to better understand the factors that cause the release of arsenic from solid residuals and allow arsenic to re-enter the environment. These guidelines help those who are in the process of selecting an arsenic removal treatment technology to also identify the types of residuals that would be generated, the expected arsenic concentrations, and any pre-treatment strategies required prior to final disposal.

Final Report on Treatment of Arsenic Residuals from Drinking Water Removal Processes
M.J. MacPhee, G.E. Charles, and D.A. Cornwell.
EPA 600-R-01-033, 96 pp, 2001.
Contact: Thomas J. Sorg, sorg.thomas@epa.gov

Proven Alternatives for Aboveground Treatment of Arsenic in Groundwater
EPA-542-S-02-002, 68 pp, 2002
Contact: Linda Fiedler, fiedler.linda@epa.gov

This issue paper, developed for EPA's Engineering Forum, identifies and summarizes experiences with proven aboveground treatment alternatives for arsenic in groundwater, and provides information on their relative effectiveness and cost for precipitation/coprecipitation, adsorption, ion exchange, and membrane filtration. The report describes the theory and operation of each technique, available project-specific performance and cost data, and limitations. The report also discusses special considerations for retrofitting systems to meet the lower arsenic drinking water standard (maximum contaminant level or MCL) of 10 µg/l.

Proven Technologies and Remedies Guidance: Remediation of Metals in Soil
Burger, K., P. Carpenter, M. Finch, H. Muniz-Ghazi, D. Oudiz, K. Shaddy, and J. Sotelo.
California Department of Toxic Substances Control, 420 pp, 2008

This guidance streamlines the cleanup process by (1) limiting the number of evaluated technologies to excavation/disposal and containment/capping; (2) facilitating remedy implementation; and (3) facilitating documentation and administrative processes. The focus is on commonly encountered metal contaminants: arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury. This approach is not intended to replace the evaluation of innovative and new technologies.

Recent Developments for in Situ Treatment of Metal Contaminated Soils
EPA-542-R-97-004, 64 pp, 1997

Review of Arsenic Removal Technologies for Contaminated Groundwaters
Vu, K.B., M.D. Kaminski, and L. Nunuz, Argonne National Laboratory.
ANL-CMT-03/2, 43 pp, 2003

Technology Selection and System Design: U.S. EPA Arsenic Removal Technology Demonstration Program, Round 1
Lili Wang, W.E. Condit, and A.S.C. Chen, Battelle, Columbus, OH.
EPA 600-R-05-001, 49 pp., 2004.

This report reviews the source water quality characteristics at each of 12 demonstration sites and presents the rationale behind the selection of an arsenic removal technology for each site. The report also summarizes the design and operation of each of the technologies: nine adsorptive media systems, one anion exchange system, one coagulation/filtration system, and one system modification to a MnO2-coated anthrasand filtration system.

Treatment Technologies for Arsenic Removal
U.S. EPA, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati OH.
EPA 600-S-05-006, 12 pp, 2005
Contact: Darren Lytle, lytle.darren@epa.gov

This booklet provides information about treatment technologies for arsenic removal to the MCL of 10 ug/L, as well as design considerations for choosing treatment technologies.

The Use of Molecular and Genomic Techniques Applied to Microbial Diversity, Community Structure, and Activities at DNAPL and Metal-Contaminated Sites: Environmental Research Brief
Azadpour-Keeley, A., M.J. Barcelona, K. Duncan, and J.M. Suflita.
EPA 600-R-09-103, 19 pp, Sep 2009

Subsurface microbial communities will respond both to the presence of contaminants, which can be detected during characterization, and to the engineered manipulation of subsurface conditions, which can be monitored during remediation. This Brief provides a background on classic molecular and genomic sciences and discusses the results and interpretation of their application to field-scale subsurface remediation activities.

Cost Analysis

Capital Costs of Arsenic Removal Technologies: U.S. EPA Arsenic Removal Technology Demonstration Program, Round 1
A.S.C. Chen, L. Wang, J.L. Oxenham, and W.E. Condit, Battelle, Columbus, OH.
EPA 600-R-04-201, 54 pp., 2004.

This report provides a brief description of each of the 12 Round 1 demonstration sites and the respective technologies being evaluated, i.e., 9 adsorptive media systems, 1 ion exchange system, 1 coagulation/filtration system, and 1 process modification. Capital costs are organized into categories for equipment, engineering, and installation, and then summed to arrive at a total capital investment cost for each system.

Costs of Arsenic Removal Technologies for Small Water Systems: U.S. EPA Arsenic Removal Technology Demonstration Program
Wang, L. and A.S.C. Chen.
EPA 600-R-11-090, 92 pp, 2011

Between July 2003 and July 2011, EPA conducted 50 full-scale demonstration projects on treatment systems removing arsenic from drinking water in 26 states. This report summarizes cost data across all demonstrations, grouped by technology type. Treatment systems selected for demonstration included 28 adsorptive media (AM) systems, 18 iron removal and coagulation/filtration systems, two ion exchange systems, and one each reverse osmosis (RO), point-of-use RO, and point-of-use AM.

Federal Remediation Technology Roundtable Technology Cost and Performance Reports

Technologies and Costs for Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water
U.S. EPA, Office of Water.
EPA-815-R-00-028, 284 pp, 2000.
Contact: Amit Kapadia, kapadia.amit@epa.gov

Specific Treatment Technologies

Addressing the Mobilization of Trace Metals in Anaerobic Aquifers
Pearce, M.S. and M. Waldron.
Proceedings of the 2011 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 11-13, 2011, University of Georgia. 5 pp, 2011

This paper outlines the manner in which arsenic is mobilized within the subsurface, describes methods that have been proposed or implemented to minimize arsenic mobilization, and offers a chemical solution that reduces or eliminates the mobilization of arsenic in anaerobic aquifers. The chemical solution is designed to prevent the dissolution of pyrite based on Le Chatelier's Principle and the reaction between dissolved oxygen and sulfides. Sulfide injection was tested during startup of a new, potable-water, aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) system for the City of DeLand, FL. Following several successful mini-scale tests and a 5-MG cycle test, a preliminary large-scale test was designed to inject, store, and recover 20 MG. Results indicate that the addition of sulfides to injected water can limit arsenic mobilization to levels that remain far below regulatory requirements. No significant problems were encountered while implementing this treatment approach other than that the recovered water contained low levels of residual sulfides.

Anaerobic Biostimulation for the In Situ Precipitation and Long-Term Sequestration of Metal Sulfides
M. DeFlaun, J. Lanzon, M. Lodato, S. Henry, T.E. Onstott, E. Chan, and B. Otemuyiwa.
SERDP Project ER-1373, 175 pp, 2009

A small-scale field pilot demonstration began at the Avon Park Air Force Range in Florida at ST-65 in January 2008 in a 30-ft by 30-ft target zone in the area of highest As concentration. Injections of sodium lactate, ferrous sulfate, diammonium phosphate, and ethanol began in April 2008 and were distributed by a groundwater recirculation system to stimulate indigenous sulfate-reducing bacteria. The final amendment injection consisted of sodium lactate, sodium sulfate, and diammonium phosphate. Arsenic concentrations decreased by up to two orders of magnitude to ~0.01 µM (1.4 ppb) between March and September 2008.

Aquatic Arsenic: Phytoremediation Using Floating Macrophytes
Rahman, M.A. and H. Hasegawa.
Chemosphere 83(5):633-646(2011)

This paper reviews the state of current knowledge on arsenic phytoremediation by common aquatic macrophytes (e.g., water hyacinth, watercress).

Arsenic Oxidation Demonstration Project—Final Report. Mine Waste Technology Program Activity III, Project 7
MSE Technology Applications, Inc., Butte, MT
MWTP-84, 147 pp, 1998

Describes a 1996 demonstration of a process developed by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) to photo-oxidize, remove, and/or immobilize arsenic in mine effluents.

Arsenic Removal from Groundwater Using Zero-Valent Iron: Pilot Application in Geothermal Regions
Tyrovola, K., N.P. Nikolaidis, and N. Veranis.
PROTECTION2004. Technical University of Crete , 8 pp, 2004

AsRT technology involves the use of iron filings (zero-valent iron) and sand to reduce inorganic arsenic species to iron co-precipitates, mixed precipitates, and (in conjunction with sulfates) arsenopyrites. The method can be employed, for example, as part of a permeable reactive barrier groundwater treatment system, or ex situ in groundwater pump and treat.

EPA Arsenic Removal Demonstration Program

Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media: U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Webb Consolidated Independent School District in Bruni, TX. Final Performance Evaluation Report

Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media: U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Wellman, TX. Six-Month Evaluation Report

Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media: U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Wellman, TX. Final Performance Evaluation Report

Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media: U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Woodstock Middle School in Woodstock, CT, Final Performance Evaluation Report

Arsenic and Uranium Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media: U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Upper Bodfish in Lake Isabella, CA. Final Performance Evaluation Report

Bioremediation of Arsenic, Chromium, Lead, and Mercury
Prepared by Adebowale Adeniji, a National Network of Environmental Management studies grantee, under a fellowship from U.S. EPA. 43 pp, 2004.

Design Manual: Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water Supplies by Iron Removal Process
G.L. Hoffman, D.A. Lytle, T.J. Sorg, A.S.C. Chen, and L. Wang.
EPA 600-R-06-030, 78 pp, 2006.
Contact: Thomas Sorg, sorg.thomas@epa.gov

Electrochemical Treatment to Facilitate and Improve Arsenic Removal
G. Korshin, J. Kim, and A. Velichenko.
IWA Pub., London. AwwaRF Report 91030F, ISBN: 1843399180, 126 pp, July 2006

Environmental Technology Verification Report: Removal of Arsenic in Drinking Water, Basin Water High Efficiency Ion Exchange Treatment System
U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, OH.
EPA 600-R-05-117, 159 pp, 2005.

Environmental Technology Verification Report: Removal of Arsenic in Drinking Water, Pall Corporation Microza(R) Microfiltration System
U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, OH.
EPA 600-R-05-120, 97 pp, 2005.

Field Application of a Permeable Reactive Barrier for Treatment of Arsenic in Ground Water
R.T. Wilkin, S.D. Acree, D.G. Beak, R.R. Ross, T.R. Lee, and C.J. Paul.
EPA 600-R-08-093, 81 pp, 2008

In June 2005, a pilot-scale PRB containing granular iron was installed at a former metal smelting facility near Helena, MT, to treat ground water contaminated with concentrations (>25 mg/L) of arsenite and arsenate. The barrier is 9.1 m long, 14 m deep, and 1.8 to 2.4 m wide (in the direction of ground-water flow). Within the PRB, As concentrations are 2 to <0.01 mg/L. After 2 years of operation, significant decreases in As concentrations are evident. This report covers site characterization, remedial design and implementation, and monitoring results for this pilot-scale PRB. Additional information: (Wilkin et al. 2009, Abstract)

Field Study on Application of Soil Washing System to Arsenic-Contaminated Site Adjacent to J. Refinery in Korea
Kim, K., J.-G. Cheong, W.-H. Kang, H. Chae, and C.-H. Chang.
International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology: IPCBEE 30:1-5(2012)

The site is contaminated with metals, particularly arsenic, scattered in dust from the refinery's stack. A soil washing plant with a capacity of 3 ton/hr was installed on the site and has been in operation since October 2010. The authors evaluated the results obtained when washing soils of different particle size (sandy or silty) and developed recommendations for an optimized remediation scenario based upon soil texture.

First Five-Year Review Report for Valley Wood Preserving, Inc., Superfund Site, Turlock, CA
U.S. EPA Region 9, 91 pp, Sep 2009

The selected groundwater remedy for a migrating Cr(VI) plume in the 1991 ROD was electrochemical treatment in conjunction with existing pump and treat. During a 33-month (1998-2000) pilot study, extracted groundwater was treated via the existing electrochemical precipitation system, with addition of calcium polysulfide to the treated water prior to reinjection. The calcium polysulfide reacted with the Cr(VI) in situ, reducing it to Cr(III). The pilot essentially eliminated the Cr(VI) plume from most of the wells on site and all of the wells off site. Pursuant to ROD Amendment 2, in situ treatment for an arsenic groundwater plume was completed in October 2007 using injections of ViroBind(tm) F Blend reagent slurry to immobilize and incorporate arsenic permanently into ferrous iron minerals and to continue reduction of residual Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Arsenic concentrations fell by as much as 2 orders of magnitude after the treatment.

High-Level Arsenite Removal from Groundwater by Zero-Valent Iron
H.L. Lien and R.T. Wilkin. Chemosphere, 59(3):377-386 Apr 2005.

Innovative Alternatives to Minimize Arsenic, Perchlorate, and Nitrate Residuals
J. Min, L. Boulos, J. Brown, D. Cornwell, Y. Le Gouellec, E. Coppola, J. Baxley, J. Rine, J. Hering, and N. Vural.
IWA Pub., London. AwwaRF Report 91054F, ISBN: 1843399342, 200 pp, 2006

This report presents treatment and residuals minimization technologies for arsenic (backwash minimization, backwash stabilization, and brine solidification), perchlorate and nitrate (biological brine treatment, thermal brine treatment, and biological treatment of perchlorate- and nitrate-laden wastewater).

Mine Waste Technology Program Activity III, Project 42: Physical Solutions for Acid Rock Drainage at Remote Sites Demonstration Project
McCloskey, J. and R. Hiebert.
EPA 600-R-09-160, 53 pp, 2008

MSE Technology Applications, Inc.'s Reductive Precipitation Process, a 2-stage iron precipitation/filtration process with a polishing step to remove arsenic, is designed to treat high-iron acid rock drainage. When the process was implemented at the Susie Mine (Montana), with an emphasis on zinc and arsenic removal, zinc was removed effectively and the level of arsenic fell substantially, but the field system was unable to achieve arsenic levels below 10 µg/L. Owing to numerous process upsets, a shortened schedule with minimal process optimization, and elimination of the polishing step, the lowest arsenic level measured in the treated effluent was 51.9 µg/L, although the process generally was effective for the removal of Cd, Cu, Pb, Fe, and Mn.

Monitored Natural Attenuation of Inorganic Contaminants in Ground Water, Volume 2: Assessment for Non-Radionuclides, Including Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel, Nitrate, Perchlorate, and Selenium
EPA 600-R-07-140, 2007

In a separate chapter for each listed contaminant, Volume 2 of 3 describes (1) the natural immobilization or degradation processes that can result in the attenuation of the contaminant and (2) data requirements to be met during site characterization. The document emphasizes characterization of immobilization and/or degradation processes that may control contaminant attenuation, as well as technical approaches to assess performance characteristics of the MNA remedy. A tiered analysis approach is presented to assist in organizing site characterization tasks.

Performance Evaluation of ALCANAASF50-Ferric Coated Activated Alumina and Granular Ferric Hydroxide (GFH) for Arsenic Removal in the Presence of Competitive Ions in an Active Well: Kirtland Field Trial, Initial Studies
N.R. Khandaker, J. Krumhansl, L. Neidel, and M. Siegel. SAND2005-7693, 40 pp, 2006.

Phytoremediation Field Studies Database for Chlorinated Solvents, Pesticides, Explosives, and Metals
Prepared by Ana Hoffnagle and Cynthia Green under internships with U.S. EPA. 168 pp, 2004.

The paper briefly explains the concept of phytoremediation, details phytoremediation site considerations, and summarizes the successes and failures of field-scale sites where phytotechnologies have been applied or proposed.

Removal Processes for Arsenic in Constructed Wetlands
Lizama, A.K., T.D. Fletcher, and G. Sun, Monash Univ., VIC, Australia.
Chemosphere 84(8):1032-1043(2011)

This paper reviews current understanding of arsenic removal processes in wetland environments, discusses implications for treatment wetlands, and identifies critical knowledge gaps and areas for future research.

Site Characterization to Support Use of Monitored Natural Attenuation for Remediation of Inorganic Contaminants in Ground Water
R.G. Ford, R.T. Wilkin, and S. Acree.
EPA 600-R-08-114, 16 pp, 2008

This Issue Paper highlights at what stage of the process solid-phase characterization techniques need to be implemented during site characterization and describes two case studies (one site affected by arsenic, lead, and chromium, and the other by uranium) where the results of these techniques were critical to evaluation of MNA as a potential component of ground-water cleanup.

Strategic Selection of an Optimal Sorbent Mixture for In-Situ Remediation of Heavy Metal Contaminated Sediments: Framework and Case Study
Chiang, Y.W., R.M. Santos, K. Ghyselbrecht, V. Cappuyns, J.A. Martens, R. Swennen, T. Van Gerven, and B. Meesschaert.
Journal of Environmental Management 105:1-11(2012)

This paper outlines a strategic framework designed to address the development of an in situ sediment remediation solution systematically through assessment, feasibility, and performance studies. The decision-making tools and the experimental procedures needed to identify optimum sorbent mixtures are detailed, with emphasis on the utilization and combination of commercially available and waste-derived sorbents. An application of the proposed framework is illustrated in a case study of a contaminated sediment site in Northern Belgium with high levels of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn originating from historical non-ferrous smelting. Longer abstract

Technology Performance Review: Selecting and Using Solidification/Stabilization Treatment for Site Remediation
U.S. EPA, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH.
EPA 600-R-09-148, 28 pp, 2009

Solidification/stabilization (S/S) is used to prevent migration of contaminants from contaminated soil, sludge, and sediment. Solidification refers to a process that binds a contaminated medium with a reagent, such as Portland cement, changing its physical properties. Stabilization involves a chemical reaction that reduces the leachability of a waste. The effectiveness of S/S has been demonstrated for non-volatile metals (e.g., arsenic, chromium), radioactive materials, halogenated semivolatiles, non-halogenated nonvolatiles and semivolatiles, PCBs, and pesticides, and potentially dioxins/furans. For treating organic contaminants (e.g., creosote), the use of certain materials such as organophilic clay and activated carbon, either as a pretreatment or as additives in cement, can improve contaminant immobilization. This review addresses important factors to consider in the selection of S/S treatment and discusses its implementation at seven sites.

Site-Specific Information

U.S. EPA Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program Verifications
Contact: Teresa Harten, harten.teresa@epa.gov

Arsenic Drinking Water Treatment Technology Demonstrations

Identifies research topics under U.S. EPA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Science to Achieve Results (STAR) programs.

Arsenic Rule Implementation Research Demonstration Program
U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory

Literature References

Technology Innovation News Survey Archives
The Technology Innovation News Survey archive contains resources gathered from published material and gray literature relevant to the research, development, testing, and application of innovative technologies for the remediation of hazardous waste sites. The collected abstracts date from 1998 to the present, and the archive is updated twice each month.

U.S. EPA Contaminated Site Cleanup Information (CLU-IN)

Arsenic

Treatment Technologies