Breakthroughs in Arsenic Remediation: Unveiling Groundwater Treatment by Polymer Technologies

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid characterized by its toxic properties and ability to undergo variations in oxidation state and bonding configuration. Its existence in groundwater has emerged as a subject of worldwide apprehension, primarily due to its detrimental properties and adverse impacts on human health. A significant proportion of the population residing in the Ganga basin relies heavily on groundwater resources that exhibit elevated levels of arsenic (As) for various purposes such as drinking, irrigation, and other domestic and agricultural uses. The mobilization of arsenic in the Central Ganga basin and its subsequent presence in groundwater has become a significant concern. Efforts to address this issue through remediation strategies are of utmost importance. Polymer-based arsenic remediation is the development of highly selective adsorbent polymers specifically designed to target arsenic ions in groundwater. This review addresses several remediation approaches employed for the treatment of As, along with various ex-situ remediation procedures, including precipitation, adsorptive, ion-exchange, and membrane processes. Additionally, it explores in-situ remediation processes such as the immobilization of arsenic by sorption, chemical oxidation, and reduction processes, as well as arsenic biotransformation facilitated by microorganisms.