Comprehensive review on co-integration of conventional systems and advanced oxidation processes for industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment applications

Abstract

Agricultural wastewater, which contains nitrates, phosphates, pesticides, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), along with industrial discharges that include heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended particulates, and phenolic compounds, poses a risk of water contamination even at minimal levels. Therefore, it is essential to manage this wastewater through integrated treatment methods before releasing it into aquatic environments. The combination of traditional systems with Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) specifically for treating industrial and agricultural wastewater is a crucial area of research aimed at improving the effectiveness of treatment methods to facilitate the reuse of treated water across various sectors. These integrated approaches offer advantages but also introduce challenges that need addressing for broader application. Additionally, this review focused on the removal of harmful contaminants from agricultural and industrial wastewater. It covered a variety of advanced treatment techniques, including combined coagulation-flocculation-decantation and the Fenton method, as well as integrated coagulation with photo-Fenton oxidation, electrocoagulation paired with photo-Fenton, and coagulation alongside UV/H₂O₂/ferrioxalate complexes. It also examined Fenton-adsorption, Fenton-nanofiltration methods, and microelectrolysis integrated with Fenton oxidation and coagulation. Moreover, the combination of UV/Fe²⁺ and photo-Fenton was discussed, along with hybrid moving bed bioreactors utilizing advanced oxidation processes such as Fenton, photo-Fenton, and UV-C/H₂O₂. The integration of air stripping with Fenton oxidation and enhanced coagulation was also considered, alongside O₃/H₂O₂/peroxymonosulfate processes, catalytic wet air oxidation, and photocatalytic oxidation involving activated carbon doping, among others. These methodologies aim to address the complex nature of pollutants found in industrial discharges. Furthermore, a comprehensive discussion was provided on the use of combined traditional systems with AOPs for wastewater treatment in both agricultural and industrial contexts, emphasizing the importance of these processes in achieving significant treatment results.