on waters from Mount Etna wells also show concentrations
of other toxic metals, like arsenic and
lead, slightly higher than the MCL. The presence
of these elements in Mount Etna groundwaters is
not due to the impact of anthropic activities but
mainly depends on the complex geology and mineralogy
of subsurface. Specifically, the manganese
presence, rarely found in so high concentration
(1810 μg/l) in groundwater to be treated for
potable use, poses several technical (oxide precipitation
in pipe network) and health (manganism,
a Parkinson’s like disease) problems [7].
Many water utilities are currently facing serious
problems due to the limited efficiency of the
existing treatment plants unable to meet the new
standards. These circumstances emphasize the
need to improve the treatment processes of these
high manganese enriched water resources, in order
to ensure the necessary quality requirements.
This work was intended to investigate appropriate
processes and operating conditions to lower
the very high manganese level below the MCL as
part of an ongoing study that aims at evaluating
the appropriate treatment processes for the re-