A Novel adsorbent for the removal of fluoride using Arenthrmum leaves

Abstract: Fluorine is the most electronegative element in periodic table, due to which, it has highest electron affinity and readily combines with any metal to form simple as well as complex compounds. Fluoride is naturally as well as artificially present in soil and water, the basic natural resources. Presence of fluoride in water, an essential resource for not only human beings, but also flora as well as fauna is proving out to be a serious issue from few decades as it causes Fluorosis. Various methods are applied to defluoridise the drinking water and bring fluoride concentration up to prescribed levels as depicted by different organizations. Adsorption method has proven to be having considerable effect on fluoride removal. The study on the novel adsorbent prepared from arenthrmum leaves was carried out to analyse fluoride removal in contrast with neem leaves, tamarind seeds and charcoal adsorbents. Efficiency was calculated based on fluoride removal including parameters as flow rate and time. Despite this, saturation period was calculated for the efficient adsorbent. Keywords: Fluoride, Fluorosis, Adsorbent, Adsorption, defluoridise, saturation.