Characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants: A review

The use of reverse osmosis (RO) in urban wastewater treatment plants is becoming popular due to its efficiency in producing high-quality effluent suitable for various reuse applications. However, the process generates reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) or reject as a byproduct, which poses significan...

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Main Authors: Maitri Patel, M. Mansoor Ahammed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Waste Management Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750724001020
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author Maitri Patel
M. Mansoor Ahammed
author_facet Maitri Patel
M. Mansoor Ahammed
author_sort Maitri Patel
collection DOAJ
description The use of reverse osmosis (RO) in urban wastewater treatment plants is becoming popular due to its efficiency in producing high-quality effluent suitable for various reuse applications. However, the process generates reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) or reject as a byproduct, which poses significant environmental concerns. One of the primary issues with ROC is the presence of organic micropollutants (OMPs). These pollutants are found in substantial concentrations in reject water, raising concerns about their potential ecological and health impacts. This review provides a summary of the characteristics of ROC from urban wastewater treatment plants, focusing on the concentrations and types of OMPs present. The study shows that ROC contains a variety of dissolved organic compounds, dissolved ions, and organic micropollutants, making its treatment a challenge. The paper discusses various technologies studied for the removal of OMPs in ROC, including adsorption, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and other methods. Adsorption is identified as an effective method for the removal of OMPs, although some compounds show lower removal efficiencies. AOPs also have good removal capabilities but at the cost of forming potentially harmful byproducts. Emerging technologies such as forward osmosis combined with adsorption, constructed wetlands, and other microbial processes show promise but require further research for practicality. This paper thus underscores the necessity for continued innovation and optimization in ROC treatment methods to mitigate the adverse effects of OMPs on the environment and public health.
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spelling doaj-art-5cab8a86563e4c4498de078843e583612024-12-18T08:55:29ZengElsevierWaste Management Bulletin2949-75072024-12-0124249260Characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants: A reviewMaitri Patel0M. Mansoor Ahammed1Department of Civil Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat 395007, IndiaCorresponding author.; Department of Civil Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat 395007, IndiaThe use of reverse osmosis (RO) in urban wastewater treatment plants is becoming popular due to its efficiency in producing high-quality effluent suitable for various reuse applications. However, the process generates reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) or reject as a byproduct, which poses significant environmental concerns. One of the primary issues with ROC is the presence of organic micropollutants (OMPs). These pollutants are found in substantial concentrations in reject water, raising concerns about their potential ecological and health impacts. This review provides a summary of the characteristics of ROC from urban wastewater treatment plants, focusing on the concentrations and types of OMPs present. The study shows that ROC contains a variety of dissolved organic compounds, dissolved ions, and organic micropollutants, making its treatment a challenge. The paper discusses various technologies studied for the removal of OMPs in ROC, including adsorption, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and other methods. Adsorption is identified as an effective method for the removal of OMPs, although some compounds show lower removal efficiencies. AOPs also have good removal capabilities but at the cost of forming potentially harmful byproducts. Emerging technologies such as forward osmosis combined with adsorption, constructed wetlands, and other microbial processes show promise but require further research for practicality. This paper thus underscores the necessity for continued innovation and optimization in ROC treatment methods to mitigate the adverse effects of OMPs on the environment and public health.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750724001020RO rejectAdsorptionUrban water reuseTertiary treatmentPharmaceutically active compounds
spellingShingle Maitri Patel
M. Mansoor Ahammed
Characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants: A review
Waste Management Bulletin
RO reject
Adsorption
Urban water reuse
Tertiary treatment
Pharmaceutically active compounds
title Characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants: A review
title_full Characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants: A review
title_fullStr Characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants: A review
title_full_unstemmed Characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants: A review
title_short Characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants: A review
title_sort characteristics and removal of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis concentrate from urban wastewater treatment plants a review
topic RO reject
Adsorption
Urban water reuse
Tertiary treatment
Pharmaceutically active compounds
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750724001020
work_keys_str_mv AT maitripatel characteristicsandremovaloforganicmicropollutantsinreverseosmosisconcentratefromurbanwastewatertreatmentplantsareview
AT mmansoorahammed characteristicsandremovaloforganicmicropollutantsinreverseosmosisconcentratefromurbanwastewatertreatmentplantsareview