Nitrate-Polluted Waterbodies Remediation: Global Insights into Treatments for Compliance

Abstract

Nitrate (NO3−) pollution of surface and groundwater bodies is a global problem of increasing concern, which has stimulated significant research interest. Nitrogen is crucial for life as a macronutrient for living organisms on Earth, but the global nitrogen cycle has been seriously altered by intensification of human activities, leading to eutrophication and hypoxic conditions of aquatic ecosystems. Due to nitrogen overfertilization, intensive agricultural practices generate huge nitrate fluxes that inadvertently deteriorate water quality. Different industrial processes also contribute to NO3− pollution in the environment. There are multiple technologies capable of achieving effective denitrification of waterbodies to ensure safe NO3− levels. Either separation-based or transformation-based denitrification technologies must address the challenges of by-product generation, increased energy demand, and reduced environmental footprint. This paper highlights the most used approaches, along with some promising alternatives for remediation of nitrate-polluted waters.