Adsorptive Removal of Fluoride from Water Using Non-conventional Adsorbents

The rapid industrialization and ever-growing population have led to degradation of water quality and reduction in availability safe drinking water. Presence of priority and secondary pollutants in underground water is posing serious health concerns. Fluoride in drinking water is referred as a two-edge sword for its beneficial (up to 1 mg/L) and detrimental effects (>1.5 mg/L). In the present study, an attempt is made to assess the fluoride removal efficiencies of some waste material as well as the naturally occurring substances. In the present study, fly ash, modified neem bark powder and fish scale biochar were investigated for their feasible use as adsorbent for fluoride removal from water environment. Batch sorption experiments were employed to examine the effect of influencing parameters like adsorbent dose, contact time, pH, initial fluoride concentration and agitation speed, etc. The batch sorption data showed non-conventional adsorbents can be used effectively in fluoride removal and simultaneously also renders to reduce refuse disposal problem of human settlement.