Surface water removal of Aluminum(III), Iron(III) and Manganese(II) using sustainable natural serpentinite mining tailings, proof of concept.

To remediate surface water as the Doce River and spring waters from Minas Gerais, Brazil, this study examined the possibility of natural serpentinite mining tailings as a sustainable alternative for removing aluminum (III), iron (III), and manganese (II). The study used a Box-Behnken experimental design to examine how initial metal concentration, adsorbate dosage, and adsorption time affect metal removal effectiveness. Results demonstrated impressive performance, with removal rates exceeding 80 % for Al(III) and Fe(III) within the initial 5 min, and 60 % for Mn(II) within 30 min.