review · Environmental Health Insights
A systematic review evaluated the performance of advanced wastewater treatment plants in removing micropollutants from wastewater effluents. From an initial pool of over one thousand five hundred records, twenty-one full-length studies covering seven treatment options were analysed. The findings show that advanced techniques effectively remove micropollutants, with advanced oxidation processes, membrane separation, and adsorption identified as strong potential solutions. Nevertheless, removal across treatment plants is frequently incomplete and characterised by varying efficiency. Key practical challenges associated with advanced treatment include high operational costs and the generation of hazardous by-products and concentrated residues. Establishing a complete barrier against micropollutant emissions requires the adaptation and scale-up of cost-effective, integrated treatment systems.
Micropollutants discharged into aquatic environments pose persistent environmental and health risks. Understanding the capabilities and drawbacks of existing wastewater technologies helps plant operators, engineers, and regulators select the most effective interventions. It also clarifies where current methods fall short, particularly regarding toxic by-product formation and high running costs.
The findings inform wastewater utility operators, engineering contractors, and technology developers seeking to upgrade treatment facilities. Although advanced oxidation, membrane, and adsorption methods are established, commercial application remains constrained by high operating expenses and waste handling. The technology is at an applied stage, requiring system integration and scale-up to deliver cost-effective, low-residue combined treatment systems.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Introduction: Various review papers have been published regarding the occurrence and fate of micropollutants (MPs). MPs in the aquatic environment are still not well reviewed to generate comprehensive summaries with a special focus on their removal from wastewater using conventional and advanced treatment processes. Therefore, this review aimed to provide a synopsis of the efficiency of the advanced wastewater treatment plants in the removal of MPs. Materials and methods: database, Scopus, and Google Scholar, based on studies with evidence of removal of MPs in the wastewater treatment process. Screening of the published articles was made using pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Amongst the 1545 studies searched, 21 full-length articles were analyzed that showed 7 treatment options related to the removal of MPs from wastewater. MPs from wastewater effluents were successfully and effectively removed by advanced treatment techniques. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), membrane processes, and adsorption processes have all been shown to be potential solutions for the removal of MPs in advanced treatment plants (WWTPs). But, there are 2 critical issues associated with the application of the advanced treatment options which are high operational cost and the formation of dangerous by-products and concentrated residues. Conclusion: This study identified that the removal of MPs using WWTPs was commonly incomplete with varying removal efficiency. Therefore, the adaptation and scale-up of the cost-effective and efficient combined wastewater treatment technology are vital to creating an absolute barrier to MPs emissions.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1177/11786302231195158
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
