Micropollutant Removal from Water by Membrane and Advanced OxidationProcesses - A Review

Micropollutants are defined as contaminants found in trace concentrations in water bodies that are persistent and bioactive, meaning they are not completely biodegradable and cannot be removed by conventional water treatment methods. Because of these aspects, their detection and removal pose a challenge to the scientific community. Among them are endocrine disruptors, drugs, agricultural chemicals, personal grooming products, industrial additives and others. These micropollutants are the cause for global concern, because their presence in water supply systems is suspected of causing health problems in humans and animals. To develop efficient techniques to remove them, it is fundamental to understand their physico-chemical properties and the available treatment types and conditions. Membrane separation processes (MSPs) and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are the focus of this review, as potential treatment methods to remove micro pollutants. The former process stands out for high rejection rates (above 90%) of various micro pollutants, but it generates a concentrated secondary waste stream. In turn, the latter process can remove micropollutants without generating secondary wastes, and can also be applied and combined with other treatment methods.