Redefining sustainability: Next-gen wastewater treatment breakthroughs

Abstract

The world is facing an alarming situation in terms of pollution, with water contamination being a critical concern for scientists aiming to protect the ecosystem. Contaminants produced from municipal, industrial, commercial, and agricultural processes, along with domestic activities, pose serious threats to aquatic life and human welfare. Addressing these pollutants requires serious attention. Various physical, chemical, and biological approaches are used for water purification, each showing different levels of efficacy. Recent advancements in wastewater treatment techniques, such as Non-Thermal Plasma Discharge, Genetic Engineering, Nanotechnology, CRISPR-Cas9, Elimination of Emerging Organic Pollutants (EOPs), and the use of durable substrates with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks, have shown promising results. For example, Nanotechnology has demonstrated a removal efficiency of up to 95% for heavy metals, while MOFs have achieved over 90% efficiency in organic pollutant degradation. The effectiveness of these techniques varies depending on the pollutant type and environmental factors. Consequently, selecting the appropriate method is crucial for achieving better and cost-effective outcomes in water treatment.