Fluoride Removal from Water using Chitosan Coated Activated Carbon and Cuttle Bone Ash in Combination with Alumina

Abstract

Fluoride contamination of ground water is an important health concern globally. Presence of high level of fluoride in drinking water can lead to issues of skeletal and dental fluorosis. A combination of chitosan coated activated carbon (CCAC) and chitosan coated cuttle bone ash (CCBA) along with alumina was used for the removal of fluoride from drinking water. The sorbents were characterized by SEM and FTIR. Combination of 2.5% CCAC and 1% alumina resulted a fluoride removal efficiency of 85.4%, while a 2% CCBA and 2% alumina combination resulted removal of 96.6%, also the fluoride removal efficiency increased along with increase of contact time (p<0.01). At higher initial fluoride concentrations, CCBA was more effective in fluoride removal than CCAC in combination with alumina. This information can help in modeling and designing of filtration devices with these adsorbents for effectively managing fluoride - contaminated ground water.