Addressing challenges in marine ecosystems: Advanced strategies for wastewater effluent management and contaminated sediment remediation

Abstract

The management of wastewater effluent and contaminated sediment poses considerable challenges to marine ecosystems, with more than 80 % of untreated wastewater discharged globally into these environments, resulting in significant ecological and economic repercussions. This review provides a critical evaluation of advanced technologies for wastewater and sediment remediation, emphasizing their scalability, economic feasibility, and existing policy deficiencies to foster sustainable management of marine ecosystems. It systematically analyzes the environmental consequences associated with traditional disposal methods in conjunction with innovative technologies such as nanofiltration and plasma gasification. Our comparative assessment encompasses technologies such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs), which achieve contaminant removal efficiencies exceeding 95 %, and geopolymer stabilization, which diminishes leachability by as much as 75 %. Notable findings indicate that electrocoagulation can effectively eliminate 85–98 % of heavy metals, including arsenic and lead, from wastewater, while the incorporation of biochar in sediment treatment enhances soil compatibility by 30 %. Despite these technological advancements, issues related to scalability and cost persist as significant obstacles, with nanotechnology-based solutions averaging treatment expenses of $0.5–1.2 per cubic meter. The review emphasizes the pressing necessity for integrated, economically viable strategies and champions the formulation of policy frameworks and investment in pilot projects as essential measures towards achieving sustainable management of marine resources.