A review of lanthanum nanoparticles impregnated compound arsenic fixation behaviour in copper aqueous solution

Mining is a strategic sector of the global economy. However, the effects of mining and mineral processing activities on human health and environment cannot be overemphasized. The prevailing areas of concern include: air quality, water quality, water quantity and the ecological impacts of these activities. Mines activities bring about the release of used water into the environment, nearby rivers or into the ground. Streams, wells and lakes surrounding the mines and the underground water are affected by these mining and mineral processing activities. Arsenic is a major trace impurity that contaminates the air and water surrounding copper mines as a result of the various activities of mining and mineral processing. It therefore poses a worrisome threat to human health and sustainability of the environment. The use of lanthanum nanoparticles impregnated compound has been identified as an effective adsorption technique for the immobilization of arsenic from numerous aqueous solutions. The leaching behaviour of copper and arsenic were analyzed in this review to provide a knowledge on the behaviour of different adsorbents such as lanthanum nanoparticles impregnated compounds during the adsorption reactions. Lanthanum compounds have been applied in the arsenic fixation of different aqueous solutions in previous studies. Lanthanum nanoparticles impregnated compound changes the valence state of arsenic in aqueous solution and the establishment of the ability of the lanthanum nanoparticles impregnated compound to change the valence state of arsenic in aqueous solution suggest the possibility of successfully applying it in the arsenic fixation of hydrometallurgical processing of copper oxide and copper carbonate ores.