Coupled As and Mn Redox Transformations in an Fe(0) Electrocoagulation System: Competition for Reactive Oxidants and Sorption Sites

Iron electrocoagulation (EC) can be used for the decentralized treatment of arsenic(As)-contaminated groundwater. Iron EC involves the electrolytic dissolution of an Fe(0) electrode to Fe(II). This process produces reactive oxidants, which oxidize As(III) and Fe(II) to As(V) and a range of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxide phases. Here, we investigated the impact of manganese (Mn) on As removal, since the two often co-occur in groundwater. In the absence of Mn(II), we observed rapid As(III) oxidation and the formation of As(V)-Fe(III) polymers. Arsenic removal was achieved upon aggregation of the As(V)-Fe(III) polymers. In the presence of Mn, the mechanism of As removal varied with pH. At pH 4.5, As(III) was oxidized rapidly by OH • and the aggregation of the resulting As(V)-Fe(III) polymers was enhanced by the presence of Mn. At pH 8.5, As(III) and Mn(II) competed for Fe(IV), which led As(III) to persist in solution. The As(V) that did form was incorporated into a mixture of As(V)-Fe(III) polymers and a ferrihydrite-like phase that incorporated 8% Mn(III); some As(III) was also sorbed by these phases. At intermediate pH values, As(III) and Mn(II) also competed for the oxidants, but Mn(III) behaved as a reactive intermediate that reacted with Fe(II) or As(III). This result can explain the presence of As(V) in the solid phase. This detailed understanding of the As removal mechanisms in the presence of Mn can be used to tune the operating conditions of Fe EC for As removal under typical groundwater conditions.