Waste-based adsorbents for the removal of emerging pollutants and their adsorption mechanisms

In recent years, emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, etc., have been detected in the water ecosystems. Adsorption is a prominent method for treating contaminated waters owing to its numerous advantages. Waste-based adsorbents were extensively studied to treat various (organic/inorganic) emerging contaminated waters as a sustainable approach. This chapter describes the studies related to agricultural, municipal and industrial waste-based adsorbents for decontamination of wastewater. The adsorption ability of raw wastes and waste-derived adsorbents (e.g., activated carbons, biochar and their composites) toward certain emerging contaminants was discussed. Important influencing factors such as adsorbent dosage, pH of the solution, contact time, etc., on the adsorption ability of waste-based adsorbents have been explained. Possible adsorption mechanisms of emerging contaminants on the waste-derived adsorbents were also outlined.