Water Purification of Classical and Emerging Organic Pollutants: An Extensive Review

Abstract

The main techniques used for organic pollutant removal from water are adsorption, reductive and oxidative processes, phytoremediation, bioremediation, separation by membranes and liquid–liquid extraction. In this review, strengths and weaknesses of the different purification techniques are discussed, with particular attention to the newest results published in the scientific literature. This study highlighted that adsorption is the most frequently used method for water purification, since it can balance high organic pollutants removal efficiency, it has the possibility to treat a large quantity of water in semi-continuous way and has acceptable costs.

Ligustrum lucidum Leaf Extract-Assisted Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Nano-Adsorbents Having Potential in Ultrasound-Assisted Adsorptive Removal of Methylene Blue Dye from Wastewater and Antimicrobial Activity

“…Therefore, it is imperative to provide effective methods for removal of such toxins from the environment [ 10 ]. Though many conventional techniques have been employed to remove the harmful toxins from the effluents like reverse osmosis, ion exchange, micro- and ultra-filtration, oxidation, solvent extraction, and electrodialysis, but these methods are exorbitant and tedious [ 11 , 12 ], whereas treatment of colored compounds through adsorption was found to be most effective [ 13 , 14 ], as it has emerged as a promising and versatile water purification technique that can balance high pollutant removal efficiency and the possibility to treat large quantities of water as reported elsewhere [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Moreover, it is an excellent method because of its simple operation, easy use, immense pollution holding capacity, extensive scalability of adsorbents, and high-performance efficiency operations.…”

“…Moreover, it is an excellent method because of its simple operation, easy use, immense pollution holding capacity, extensive scalability of adsorbents, and high-performance efficiency operations. Adsorption efficiency is highly dependent on the selection of adsorbents that should be cost-effective, readily available, has high reuse potential and low toxicity, and is eco-friendly [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Carbon-based adsorbents, due to the presence of various functional groups for the effective and safe removal of toxins from polluted water, are immensely demanded materials [ 19 ].…”

Controlled synthesis of graphene oxide/silica hybrid nanocomposites for removal of aromatic pollutants in water

“…The industrial sector is the primary generator of pollution and has a direct detrimental influence on the environment in all aspects. Because most organic contaminants are toxic and carcinogenic and slow to degrade, wastewater treatment technology that is both environmentally friendly and financially effective is continuously in demand 1 .…”

Sonochemical Preparation of a Magnet-Responsive Fe3O4@ZIF-8 Adsorbent for Efficient Cu2+ Removal

“…For example, copper (II) ions are known to be toxic and carcinogenic when ingested in large amounts, causing cramps, diarrhea, liver failure, kidney damage, and abdominal pain [ 3 , 4 ]. To date, various methods were suggested and are being used to remove hazardous heavy-metal species from aqueous solutions, including chemical precipitation, ion exchange, flotation, ultrafiltration, electrodialysis, and adsorption [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Among them, adsorption is regarded as one of the most effective and attractive methods.…”