Abstract
The review explores the feasibility of simultaneous removal of pathogens and chemical pollutants by solar-enhanced advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The AOPs are based on in-situ generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), most notably hydroxyl radicals •OH, that are capable of destroying both pollutant molecules and pathogen cells. The review presents evidence of simultaneous removal of pathogens and chemical pollutants by photocatalytic processes, namely TiO2 photocatalysis and photo-Fenton. Complex water matrices with high loads of pathogens and chemical pollutants negatively affect the efficiency of disinfection and pollutant removal. This is due to competition between chemical substances and pathogens for generated ROS. Other possible negative effects include light screening, competitive photon absorption, adsorption on the catalyst surface (thereby inhibiting its photocatalytic activity), etc. Besides, some matrix components may serve as nutrients for pathogens, thus hindering the disinfection process. Each type of water/wastewater would require a tailor-made approach and the variables that were shown to influence the processes—catalyst/oxidant concentrations, incident radiation flux, and pH—need to be adjusted in order to achieve the required degree of pollutant and pathogen removal. Overall, the solar-enhanced AOPs hold promise as an environmentally-friendly way to substitute or supplement conventional water/wastewater treatment, particularly in areas without access to centralized drinking water or sewage/wastewater treatment facilities.
Highlights
According to the latest available estimates, 748 million people worldwide lacked access to potable water in 2012 [1]
Consumption of poor-quality drinking water contaminated with pathogens and chemical pollutants is associated with a number of both short- and long-term adverse health outcomes
The major reasons for contaminated drinking water are its inadequate treatment before distribution and contamination of its sources—surface water bodies and shallow groundwater affected by discharges of untreated or inadequately treated sewage/wastewaters
Summary
According to the latest available estimates, 748 million people worldwide lacked access to potable water in 2012 [1]. Consumption of poor-quality drinking water contaminated with pathogens and chemical pollutants is associated with a number of both short- and long-term adverse health outcomes. Diarrhea, often resulting from ingesting pathogens with contaminated drinking water, was the cause of about 1.5 million human deaths in 2012 alone [1]. The major reasons for contaminated drinking water are its inadequate treatment before distribution and contamination of its sources—surface water bodies and shallow groundwater affected by discharges of untreated or inadequately treated sewage/wastewaters. Provision of efficient treatment methods for both drinking water and sewage/wastewater is a pressing issue, especially in developing countries where a high proportion of population lacks access to improved drinking water. The so-called advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been drawing attention of researchers and water treatment professionals and were suggested for application in water/wastewater treatment [2,3,4]
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