Deflouridation of water using amended clay

Excessive presence of fluoride (F) in potable water continues to be a serious public health problem in many parts of the world. Hence, the need for a cost effective, simple and user-friendly method for water defluoridation is being felt in such areas. Clay vessels are commonly used in rural parts of India and other developing countries, not only for storing water, but also to get cold potable water during summers. The present study investigates the role of vessels made from locally derived sample of silty clay (C) in water defluoridation. Besides, F sorption by C and its chemically amended forms were also studied to investigate improvement opportunities of clay vessels with regard to their application in water defluoridation. The study revealed C to be a potent F binder and amending it with Al (activated Al₂O₃), Fe (FeCl₃) and/or Ca (CaCO₃) significantly improved its F sorption capacity. F sorption by C amended with Al, Fe or Ca, decreased in the same order. C amended simultaneously with 50 mg/g each of Al, Fe and Ca proved to be the most effective F sorbent at pH≈6. F sorption by amended C followed a rapid kinetics with considerable F being removed within 5 min of shaking. The pilot study employing clay vessels to achieve defluoridation of water exhibited encouraging results suggesting the viability of using chemically amended clay vessels for water defluoridation.