Removal efficiency and adsorption mechanisms of CeO2 nanoparticles onto granular activated carbon used in drinking water treatment plants

The presence of NPs in drinking water resources raises a global concern on their potential risk for human health, and whether or not drinking water treatment plants are able to effectively remove NPs to prevent their ingestion by humans. In this study, we investigate the efficiency of granular activated carbon (GAC), commonly used in conventional municipal water treatment processes, for the removal of CeO2 NPs.