Advanced membrane technology for the removal of pesticides from water and wastewater

Abstract

Agricultural runoff is one of the main factors that introduces pesticide residue into water. Common pesticides such as DEET(N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), DDT(dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane), metolachlor, malathion, etc., have continuously contaminated water systems. These pesticides are toxic and can cause detrimental effects on living organisms, even at trace amounts. Most pesticides are grouped into chemical families and persist the environment for long periods. Therefore, specific water treatment is required to clean the waterbodies contaminated with pesticides. Several conventional treatment methods have been introduced in the past to decontaminate the waterbodies. However, there are many advantages and disadvantages associated with these processes. Nowadays, membrane technology is one of the best and preferred method available to treat contaminated water because of its high efficiency, cost effectiveness, easy applicability, stability, and low footprint. Membrane filtration includes reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiber filtration, and biomembrane filtration processes for pollution separation. Membrane materials and filtration processes can be modified depending on the chemical structure and properties of the pesticides. Recent advances in nanotechnology offer energy-efficient, low cost, and eco-friendly approaches in water treatment technologies. Membrane materials can be modified to obtain better results and increase its effectiveness for treatment process. Recently, researchers have started working to introduce new nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes, nanopolymers, metal-organic nanomembrane, graphene, quantum and nanoshells development of membrane filters for water purification. Recently, membrane materials progress has allowed filtration to become more effective over other conventional treatment methods and popularized globally. � 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.