Electrochemical remediation of arsenic and fluoride from water: A review of the current state and future prospects

Arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) contamination exhibits a significant public health threat, which is usually introduced into water from several natural and anthropogenic sources. Millions of people around the world are ingesting these contaminants above the recommended limits via drinking water. Though various techniques have been used to remove these pollutants, there is always an expectation for advanced and novel techniques for pollutant removal that are simple, inexpensive, and highly efficient. In recent years, several electrochemical techniques have been the subject of growing interest and have shown great potential for the elimination of As and F from drinking water. Therefore, the aim of this review was to compile and summarise the recent advancements in As and F remediation via different electrochemical techniques, including electrocoagulation, electrosorption, electrodialysis, and electro-ultrafiltration, along with their operational factors. It was found that among the electrochemical techniques, electrocoagulation (EC) is widely used, and the majority of studies have focused on the individual pollutant’s removal, in spite of the presence of co-existing As and F in many areas. Although EC has demonstrated a promising option for pollution abatement, high energy consumption and electrocoagulated sludge management are the key defies of this technique. Moreover, many co-existing ions and components of natural water lessen the removal efficiency, which could be a potential area of future research. Overall, this review illustrates the current contribution of various electrochemical techniques for the removal of As and F, which will help to give future guidance and research direction for safe, sustainable, and cost-effective drinking water supply.