Surface complexation modeling of arsenate adsorption by akagenéite (β-FeOOH)-dominant granular ferric hydroxide

Abstract A surface complexation model has been set up for the first time with akaganeite (β-FeOOH), a major compound of granular ferric hydroxide (GFH) used in groundwater purification units worldwide for arsenic and other toxic pollutant removal. Unlike the situation for the α-FeOOH polymorph goethite, there is yet no published surface complexation model to predict competing oxyanion effects. This is due to a linked bulk-surface reactivity by which excess protons released in an unknown amount from tunnel sites hamper quantification of surface protonation by acid titration. The measured proton uptake thus exceeds what can be expected from OH groups active in surface protonation. However, ch…