Arsenic removal from aqueous solutions using potassium permanganate-modified laterite: Experimental investigation and optimization

Arsenic contamination in groundwater poses a critical threat to public health, particularly in developing regions.This study investigates the potential of potassium permanganate (KMnO)-modified laterite as a cost-effective and efficient adsorbent for arsenic removal from aqueous solutions.A series of batch adsorption experiments were conducted using synthetic arsenic-contaminated water (100 ppb), with the influence of three key operational parameters -adsorbent dosage, solution pH, and reaction time systematically analyzed through a Box-Behnken design within the response surface methodology framework.The statistical model demonstrated high predictive accuracy (R = 0.99), and analysis of variance confirmed dosage and reaction time as significant factors, while pH had a negligible effect within the tested range.Optimal conditions for maximum arsenic removal (78.25% actual, 79.03% predicted) were determined to be a dosage of 0.43 g, pH of 3.6, and reaction time of 68 minutes.The results confirm that KMnO-modified laterite is a promising material for arsenic remediation, offering a sustainable and scalable solution.However, further studies are recommended to evaluate its long-term performance, regeneration potential, and effectiveness in real water systems containing multiple contaminants.