Ion exchange technology: A promising approach for anions removal from water

Abstract

Water pollution due to increased agricultural, industrial, and domestic activities has become a serious concern worldwide. Various toxic pollutants have been detected in drinking water sources at alarming levels. Anionic pollutants, one of the important classes of aquatic pollutants, need special attention for their removal from water as usually there will be no organoleptic changes in water when anions are present even at low concentrations, thereby increasing the health risks. Ion exchange (IE) technology has been proven as one of the best technologies for water and wastewater treatment. In this review, a compilation of various IE materials reported in the vast literature, used for the removal of various anions (nitrate, fluoride, perchlorate, arsenate, chromate, phosphate, thiocyanate, etc.) from water, has been presented, and their main findings are discussed.