Thole, BernardMtalo, Felix W.Masamba, W. R. L.2016-03-232016-03-232011Thole, B., Mtalo, F.W. and Masamba, W.R.L., 2011. Water defluoridation with 150–300oC calcined Bauxite-Gypsum-Magnesite (BG-Mc) filters. Water Resources Management VI, 145, p.383.1743-3541http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1229Research on water defluoridation with composite filters of bauxite, gypsum and magnesite was carried out at Ngurdoto Research Station to determine capacity, nature of fluoride-sorbent interaction and changes in water quality. The objective was to identify an optimum composite filter that would not alter the water quality beyond World Health Organisation recommendations. The three materials were characterized through X-Ray Fluorescence. The major components were Al2O3 (30.33%) for bauxite, CaO (28.09%) for gypsum and MgO (34.57%) for magnesite. The materials were calcined at temperatures of 150, 200, 250 and 300o C. Six composite filters were prepared for each calcine temperature of bauxite:gypsum:magnesite in the ratios 1:2:3, 1:3:2, 2:1:3, 2:3:1, 3:1:2 and 3:2:1. The highest capacity, 11.77 mg F/g, was obtained with the 3:1:2–200o C calcine. The optimum filter was however the 1:2:3–200o C calcine with capacity of 10.19 mg F/g. This filter did not alter the water quality beyond the considered WHO limits. The fluoride-sorbent interaction could best be described by Langmuir isotherm for the 200 and 300o C, and Temkin isotherm for the 150 and 250o C composites. Most composites changed water quality beyond WHO standards in Al3+, Fe2+, and 2 SO4 , however a composite filter of these materials is plausible.endefluoridationbauxitegypsummagnesitecomposite filtercalcineLangmuirTemkinFreundlichBook chapter10.2495/WRM110331