NANOMATERIALS FORHEAVY METALS REMOVAL FROM WASTEWATER

Abstract

Human, agricultural, industrial, and mining activities generate large quantities of wastewater contaminated with toxic and non-biodegradable heavy metals such as As, Cr, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn.To avoid the harmful effects of heavy metals on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and on human health, it is essential to develop and implement innovative technologies for the removal of these toxic and hazardous pollutants from wastewater.In wastewater treatment, and particularly in nanotechnology applications, many efficient, ecological and cost-effective nanomaterials have been developed, having unique functions of heavy metals removal from industrial effluents, surface waters, groundwater and drinking water.Due to their antimicrobial properties, nanoparticles are also used for wastewater disinfection and microbial control.