Addressing emerging contaminants in wastewater: Insights from adsorption isotherms and adsorbents: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Due to the widespread distribution of emerging pollutants (EPs) and their potential impact on ecosystems and public health, evaluating and creating wastewater treatment techniques to reduce EPs is a global priority. Tackling the removal of EPs from the environment has become a significant challenge for researchers, spurred by the growing awareness of their prevalence and associated risks. Among the existing techniques, adsorption utilizing diverse adsorbents emerges as the most cost-effective and widely applicable approach. Understanding adsorption isotherms is crucial for the assessment and optimization of adsorbent materials used in the adsorption approach used to remove EPs from wastewater. The investigation of adsorption isotherms offers a versatile and effective approach to pollutant removal in addition to helping to optimize treatment protocols. Numerous adsorbents and adsorption isotherms have been explored for the removal of EPs from wastewater. This review focuses on developing new adsorbents with a strong emphasis on their long-term environmental impact. To improve pharmaceutical removal efficiency, exploring innovative bio-adsorption methods is key. Prioritizing sustainable design and scalability considerations is essential for advancing polysaccharide-based adsorbents. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for assessing practical applicability, considering potential obstacles. Enhancing the scalability and real-world efficacy of adsorption techniques in wastewater treatment relies on strategic resource allocation and field research. This study examines new materials, stresses standardized procedures, and offers recommendations for improving adsorption-based wastewater treatment for EPs.