Title: Safe disposal of solid wastes generated during arsenic removal in drinking water

Authors: Elizabeth Graciela De Seta; Fernando Damián Reina; Fernando Isaac Mugrabi; Luis Eugenio Lan; Juan Pablo Guerra; Aitor Porcel Laburu; Esteban José Domingo; Jorge Martín Meichtry

Addresses: Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, UDB-Química and Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Medrano 951, C1179AAQ Buenos Aires, Argentina ' Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Medrano 951, C1179AAQ Buenos Aires, Argentina ' Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Medrano 951, C1179AAQ Buenos Aires, Argentina ' Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, UDB-Química and Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Medrano 951, C1179AAQ Buenos Aires, Argentina ' Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Mozart 2300, C1407 Buenos Aires, Argentina ' Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Mozart 2300, C1407 Buenos Aires, Argentina ' Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Mozart 2300, C1407 Buenos Aires, Argentina ' Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Medrano 951, C1179AAQ Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract: Wastes generated during the treatment of water containing arsenic were mixed with Portland cement in 3 : 1 volume ratio, respectively, to produce mortars that were then used to manufacture monolithic bricks. Two different wastes, containing 1.0 × 10³ and 2.0 × 10³ mg As per kg of dried waste, were generated in experiments of aqueous trivalent arsenic ([As(III)] = 50 mg L^-1) removal in columns filled with a mixture of zero-valent iron and sand (1%, w/w of ZVI). The mechanical tests indicated that the waste-containing bricks showed a decrease in the compression tests, while no significant differences were found in the flexural tests. Studies on arsenic leaching indicated that, in normal conditions, the amount of released arsenic is not significant, as extreme conditions are required to exceed the maximum allowable limit for non-hazardous waste. Even though the quality of the resulting mortar is lower, it is still well suited to make bricks for use in the construction of foundations or for final disposal in landfills.

Keywords: safe disposal; solid wastes; ZVI; zero-valent iron; arsenic removal; drinking water treatment; stabilisation/solidification; Portland cements mortars; arsenic leachates.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2018.090867

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2018 Vol.9 No.1, pp.50 - 65

Received: 05 Aug 2016
Accepted: 15 May 2017
Published online: 30 Mar 2018 *

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