A Review of Literature on the Removal of Inorganic Contaminants from Drinking Water

Book excerpt: Provides a literature review of the current state of knowledge in the area of inorganic chemical removal from drinking water. The review considers inorganic chemical parameters that include arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, chloride, chromium, copper, cyanide, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nitrate, selenium, sodium, sulphide, total dissolved solids, uranium, and zinc. Sources of inorganic chemicals include industrial and municipal effluent, agricultural runoff, and natural sources. Both conventional and advance treatment processes are noted to give an idea of how each contaminant could be removed. These processes include coagulation, softening, filtration, oxidation, adsorption, ion exchange, distillation, membrane processes, aeration, and dilution.