Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Groundwater Arsenic Remediation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Arsenic contamination in water poses a significant global health risk, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Arsenic contamination affects groundwater in at least 106 countries, potentially exposing over 200 million people to elevated levels, primarily through contaminated...

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Main Authors: Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Md. Nizam Uddin, Md Mahadi Hassan Parvez, Md. Abdullah Al Mohotadi, Jannatul Ferdush
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/933
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author Md. Mahbubur Rahman
Md. Nizam Uddin
Md Mahadi Hassan Parvez
Md. Abdullah Al Mohotadi
Jannatul Ferdush
author_facet Md. Mahbubur Rahman
Md. Nizam Uddin
Md Mahadi Hassan Parvez
Md. Abdullah Al Mohotadi
Jannatul Ferdush
author_sort Md. Mahbubur Rahman
collection DOAJ
description Arsenic contamination in water poses a significant global health risk, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Arsenic contamination affects groundwater in at least 106 countries, potentially exposing over 200 million people to elevated levels, primarily through contaminated drinking water. Among the most affected regions, Bangladesh remains a critical case study, where widespread reliance on shallow tubewells has resulted in one of the largest mass poisonings in history. Bio-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising solutions due to their eco-friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, and high adsorption capabilities. These nanomaterials offer a sustainable approach to arsenic remediation, utilizing materials like biochar, modified biopolymers, and bio-based aerogels, which can effectively adsorb arsenic and other pollutants. The use of environmentally friendly nanostructures provides a potential option for improving the efficiency and sustainability of arsenic remediation from groundwater. This review explores the mechanisms underlying arsenic remediation using such nanomaterials, including adsorption, filtration/membrane technology, photocatalysis, redox reactions, complexation, ion exchange, and coagulation–flocculation. Despite their potential, challenges such as scalability, stability, and regeneration hinder widespread application. We discuss recent advancements in material design, surface modifications, and hybrid systems that enhance performance. Finally, future perspectives are highlighted, including the integration of these bio-derived systems with smart sensing technologies, sustainable water-treatment frameworks, smart design, and life-cycle integration strategies, particularly for use in resource-constrained regions like Bangladesh and other globally impacted areas.
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spelling doaj-art-9739c3acb3df41739da284f37aef6dde2025-08-20T02:21:14ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-06-01151293310.3390/nano15120933Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Groundwater Arsenic Remediation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future PerspectivesMd. Mahbubur Rahman0Md. Nizam Uddin1Md Mahadi Hassan Parvez2Md. Abdullah Al Mohotadi3Jannatul Ferdush4Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna 9203, BangladeshJames C. Morriss Division of Engineering, Texas A & M University-Texarkana, 7101 University Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna 9203, BangladeshDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna 9203, BangladeshDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna 9203, BangladeshArsenic contamination in water poses a significant global health risk, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Arsenic contamination affects groundwater in at least 106 countries, potentially exposing over 200 million people to elevated levels, primarily through contaminated drinking water. Among the most affected regions, Bangladesh remains a critical case study, where widespread reliance on shallow tubewells has resulted in one of the largest mass poisonings in history. Bio-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising solutions due to their eco-friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, and high adsorption capabilities. These nanomaterials offer a sustainable approach to arsenic remediation, utilizing materials like biochar, modified biopolymers, and bio-based aerogels, which can effectively adsorb arsenic and other pollutants. The use of environmentally friendly nanostructures provides a potential option for improving the efficiency and sustainability of arsenic remediation from groundwater. This review explores the mechanisms underlying arsenic remediation using such nanomaterials, including adsorption, filtration/membrane technology, photocatalysis, redox reactions, complexation, ion exchange, and coagulation–flocculation. Despite their potential, challenges such as scalability, stability, and regeneration hinder widespread application. We discuss recent advancements in material design, surface modifications, and hybrid systems that enhance performance. Finally, future perspectives are highlighted, including the integration of these bio-derived systems with smart sensing technologies, sustainable water-treatment frameworks, smart design, and life-cycle integration strategies, particularly for use in resource-constrained regions like Bangladesh and other globally impacted areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/933groundwaterarsenic remediationhealth hazardbiocharchitosanadsorption
spellingShingle Md. Mahbubur Rahman
Md. Nizam Uddin
Md Mahadi Hassan Parvez
Md. Abdullah Al Mohotadi
Jannatul Ferdush
Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Groundwater Arsenic Remediation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
Nanomaterials
groundwater
arsenic remediation
health hazard
biochar
chitosan
adsorption
title Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Groundwater Arsenic Remediation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
title_full Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Groundwater Arsenic Remediation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
title_fullStr Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Groundwater Arsenic Remediation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Groundwater Arsenic Remediation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
title_short Bio-Based Nanomaterials for Groundwater Arsenic Remediation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
title_sort bio based nanomaterials for groundwater arsenic remediation mechanisms challenges and future perspectives
topic groundwater
arsenic remediation
health hazard
biochar
chitosan
adsorption
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/933
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AT mdmahadihassanparvez biobasednanomaterialsforgroundwaterarsenicremediationmechanismschallengesandfutureperspectives
AT mdabdullahalmohotadi biobasednanomaterialsforgroundwaterarsenicremediationmechanismschallengesandfutureperspectives
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