Chapter 10 - An overview of the removal of pesticides from water and wastewater through carbonaceous adsorbents

Abstract

In this chapter, various carbonaceous adsorbents have been addressed and reviewed for the adsorption of pesticides from an aqueous solution. The removal of pesticides from the aqueous solution is indispensable for a healthy and clean environment because they are considered water pollutants and have critical human health impacts even at small concentrations. Pesticides act as toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic agents and can cause taste and odors problems. Therefore, to reduce the concentration of pesticides easily and effectively, carbonaceous adsorbents and their composites can be utilized. A literature survey of about the last 10 years published papers shows outstanding removal capabilities of pesticides using various carbonaceous adsorbents. This chapter gives a brief discussion on the adsorption capabilities of carbon-based materials, reviews recent findings and observations for the removal of pesticides and provides some recommendations for future research.