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Analytical survey of arsenic in geothermal waters from sites in Kyushu, Japan, and a method for removing arsenic using magnetite

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to survey the cation and anion contents of geothermal waters to gather fundamental information on geographical variations. Sixteen sites in hot spring areas on the island of Kyushu in Japan were studied. The study focused on the arsenic content of the samples. Very high arsenic concentrations (more than 0.1 mg/l) were detected in most of the geothermal waters sampled. High contents of boron and fluoride (more than 1.0 mg/l) were also detected in some samples. Arsenic removal was performed on a laboratory scale using columns packed with a magnetite-type adsorbent. The reduction of arsenic contamination to a concentration of less than 0.01 mg/l could be achieved in the early stages of adsorption (bed volume = 200).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu, Hibikino 1-1, Kitakyushu, 808-0135, Japan

    Kazuharu Yoshizuka, Syouhei Nishihama & Hideki Sato

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  1. Kazuharu Yoshizuka
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  2. Syouhei Nishihama
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  3. Hideki Sato
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Correspondence to Kazuharu Yoshizuka.

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Yoshizuka, K., Nishihama, S. & Sato, H. Analytical survey of arsenic in geothermal waters from sites in Kyushu, Japan, and a method for removing arsenic using magnetite. Environ Geochem Health 32, 297–302 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-010-9300-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-010-9300-3

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