Title : Sustainable low-cost adsorbents for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater
Abstract:
The release of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals into aquatic ecosystems through household, industrial and agricultural wastewater poses significant environmental risks and adverse effects on human and animal health. Conventional water treatment technologies often exhibit limited efficiency in removing these persistent contaminants, highlighting the need for improved, sustainable and cost-effective treatment strategies.
Adsorption has emerged as a promising method for contaminant removal, with activated carbon widely recognized for its high adsorption capacity and versatility in water treatment systems. However, its relatively high cost restricts large-scale application, particularly in resource-limited regions. Consequently, low-cost alternative adsorbents derived from agricultural and industrial by-products such as sawdust, seaweed, biochar, clay minerals and modified zeolites are gaining increasing attention. These materials have demonstrated potential for the removal of pharmaceuticals and heavy metals from aqueous environments.
This study investigates sustainable materials, specifically sawdust and seaweed, as alternative adsorbents for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern from water. While these materials offer notable economic and environmental advantages, their adsorption performance and underlying mechanisms require systematic evaluation. The findings of this research aim to contribute to the development of affordable and sustainable wastewater treatment solutions for the effective removal of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater prior to discharge into the environment.
