Efficient removal of As(III) from groundwaters through self-alkalization in an asymmetric flow-electrode electrochemical separation system.

It remains a great challenge to efficiently remove As(III) from groundwater using traditional technologies due to its stable electroneutral form. This study constructed an asymmetric flow-electrode electrochemical separation (AFES) system, which overcomes the drawback of H release from anodic carbon oxidation and achieves continuous self-alkalization function and highly efficient removal of As(III) from groundwater. At the applied voltage of 1.2 V and initial pH 7.5, the system could rapidly decrease the total As (T-As) concentration from 150.0 to 8.9 μg L within 90 min, with an energy consumption of 0.04 kWh m. The self-alkalization was triggered by the generation of HO from dissolved oxygen reduction and the adsorption of H on the cathode in the feed chamber, which significantly promoted the dissociation and oxidation of As(III), resulting in the removal of T-As predominantly in the form of As(V). The removal performance of T-As was slightly affected by the initial pH and coexisting ions in the feed chamber. The AFES system also exhibited considerable stability after 20 cycles of continuous experiments and superior performance in treating As-containing real groundwater. Moreover, the pH of the alkalized solution can be restored to the initial level by standing or aeration operation. This work offers a novel and efficient pathway for the detoxication of As(III)-contaminated groundwaters.