Photocatalytic Heavy Metal Detoxification from Water Systems

Abstract

Heavy metals are one of the greatest elevating threat to mankind and other living organisms and it is released into the environment due to increasing dumpsites, transports, and industrial sectors. The industrial wastewater containing heavy metal ions easily enters into the food chain through the air, water, and soil; it results in bioaccumulation and biomagnifications of metal ions in human beings. It causes severe chronic health disorders affecting the nervous system, circulatory system, digestive system and other sensitive organs of the human body. Many conventional techniques such as adsorption, coagulation, flocculation, electrochemical treatment, and biological treatment are used for the reduction of heavy metal ions in the aqueous system. The photocatalysis method is one of the emerging effective ways for eliminating the toxic metal ions from the aqueous solution. This chapter elaborates the principle, mechanism and various methods utilized in the photocatalytic reduction of heavy metal ions from the wastewater.