7 Innovative and combined treatment technologies
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are transforming because of
innovative and combined treatment technologies that improve
sustainability, efficiency, and contaminant removal. Combining
biological treatment techniques with advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
like photocatalysis and ozonation is a cutting-edge strategy. Reactive
species produced by these AOPs, such as hydroxyl radicals, degrade
emerging and persistent organic pollutants, which are frequently
impervious to standard biological processes (Wang et al., 2012; Vilhunen
& Sillanpää, 2010). Another novel combination that merges biological
treatment and membrane filtration is the membrane bioreactor (MBR). MBRs
are ideal for water reuse applications because they efficiently remove
bacteria, suspended solids, and even some dissolved pollutants,
resulting in superior effluent quality (Judd, 2011). Additionally,
biogas production can be improved while sludge volume is reduced and
energy recovery maximized by combining anaerobic digestion with membrane
filtration (Appels et al., 2008; Bolzonella et al., 2018).
Bioaugmentation involves introducing particular microorganisms into
wastewater remedy structures to enhance the elimination of pollutants,
which include microplastics. research has demonstrated that
bioaugmentation in secondary remedy approaches—such as activated
sludge, sequencing batch reactors, and membrane bioreactors—can gain
high microplastic removal efficiency, reaching up to 100% with certain
polymer-microbe combinations.