3 - Green Chemistry Solutions to Water Pollution

Abstract

Conventional water treatment processes gradually become more inadequate with the identification of more and more contaminants in the water because of fast growth of population and industrial activities. Therefore, to overcome the challenges associated with traditional processes, there is rapid development of novel chemical technologies. But this growth has turned the attention of environmentalists to complementary actions, like monitoring environmental pollution, reduction of pollutants, and so on, to avoid the negative impacts. In this context, green chemistry solutions provide the most effective way to reduce the harmful effects of water treatment processes by taking into account energy, materials, resource economics, use, and generation of dangerous secondary material, and, finally, the life cycle of the products and their practical recycling into new materials. Some emerging water treatment technologies holding great promises in providing green alternatives for better protection of public health and the environment are discussed in this chapter. Advantages and disadvantages of these technologies are also compared to highlight their existing limitations and future research needs. Hence, it can be said that application of these technologies in association with the emergent knowledge and advances in the manufacturing industries will be highly beneficial to the entire mankind.