| Abstract: | Systems and methods for use of magnesium hydroxide, either directly or
through one or more precursors, doped with a divalent or trivalent metal
cation, for removing arsenic from drinking water, including water
distribution systems. In one embodiment, magnesium hydroxide,
Mg(OH).sub.2 (a strong adsorbent for arsenic) doped with a divalent or
trivalent metal cation is used to adsorb arsenic. The complex consisting
of arsenic adsorbed on Mg(OH).sub.2 doped with a divalent or trivalent
metal cation is subsequently removed from the water by conventional
means, including filtration, settling, skimming, vortexing,
centrifugation, magnetic separation, or other well-known separation
systems. In another embodiment, magnesium oxide, MgO, is employed, which
reacts with water to form Mg(OH).sub.2. The resulting Mg(OH).sub.2 doped
with a divalent or trivalent metal cation, then adsorbs arsenic, as set
forth above. The method can also be used to treat human or animal
poisoning with arsenic. |