Removal of arsenic from contaminated water using Fenton’s reagent–modified plantain pseudo-stem

Arsenic contamination of water poses a significant threat to public health and the environment, particularly in developing regions. This study investigated the effectiveness of Fenton’s reagent–pretreated plantain pseudo-stem (PPS) as a low-cost and sustainable biosorbent for the removal of arsenic from aqueous solutions. The plantain pseudo-stem was chemically modified using Fenton’s reagent to enhance its surface characteristics and adsorption performance. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH, and initial arsenic concentration on arsenic (III) removal. Arsenic trichloride was used to prepare synthetic contaminated water, and residual arsenic concentrations were quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that arsenic removal efficiency increased with increasing adsorbent dosage and was strongly influenced by solution pH, with maximum adsorption occurring under alkaline conditions. Rapid adsorption was observed within the first few minutes of contact, indicating high affinity between arsenic species and the modified biosorbent surface. The Fenton’s reagent pretreatment significantly improved arsenic uptake compared to untreated PPS, demonstrating the effectiveness of surface modification. Fenton’s reagent–pretreated plantain pseudostem proved to be an efficient, eco-friendly, and economically viable adsorbent for arsenic removal from contaminated water. The study highlights the potential of agricultural waste–derived materials for sustainable water treatment applications and provides a foundation for further optimisation and scale-up studies.