Summary
This narrative review examines current and emerging adsorbent technologies for wastewater treatment, emphasising biosorption as a cost-effective and efficient alternative to conventional physical, chemical and biological methods. The authors synthesise evidence on agricultural and non-agricultural sorbent materials, their pollutant removal mechanisms, enhancement strategies through material modification, and safe disposal pathways. The review contextualises these technologies within growing wastewater management pressures from urbanisation and industrialisation, whilst addressing the risk of secondary pollutant generation.
Regional applicability
While the review does not focus on UK-specific conditions, adsorbent technologies may be relevant to UK wastewater treatment infrastructure and regulatory frameworks addressing emerging contaminants. The emphasis on cost-effectiveness and secondary pollution reduction aligns with UK environmental quality standards, though local applicability would depend on source-specific contaminant profiles and existing treatment capacity.
Key measures
Adsorbent efficacy in pollutant removal, secondary pollutant generation, cost–benefit analysis, sorbent reusability, modification techniques for performance enhancement
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises efficacy data and mechanisms for agricultural and non-agricultural adsorbent materials in removing toxicants from wastewater, including biosorption processes and strategies for enhancing sorbent performance through modification. It evaluates cost–benefit ratios, reusability, and safe disposal methods for used adsorbents.
Topic tags
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