Arsenate sorption on schwertmannite

Fukushi, Keisuke*; Sato, Tsutomu*; Yanase, Nobuyuki; Minato, Junichi*; Yamada, Hirohisa*

The sorption mechanism of As(V) on schwertmannite was investigated by both a batch sorption experiment and crystallographic considerations. The batch experiment was carried out as a function of As(V) concentration in acidic solution at 25 C. Crystallographic considerations indicate surface sites of schwertmannite comprise varied surface oxygen (hydroxyl) and SO groups. Sorption experiments showed reactive surface sites for As(V) sorption are surface SO groups. As(V) sorption mechanism involves ligand exchange with solid phase SO. Results also suggest monodentate As(V) coordination with surface adsorbed SO sites and bidentate As(V) coordination in structural originated SO sites. Estimated equilibrium constant for ligand exchange reaction describes the observed As(V) sorption behavior. The surface structure approach in this study reveals reactive surface sites in As(V) sorption on schwertmannite comprise surface SO group instead of surface hydroxyl groups identified by former views.