Advancements in the use of filtration materials for the removal of heavy metals from multicontaminated solutions

• Published in: Current opinion in environmental science & health Vol. 20; p. 100241
• Main Authors: Calabrò, Paolo S., Bilardi, Stefania, Moraci, Nicola
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-04-2021
• Subjects: Adsorption; Biosorbent materials; Column tests; Filtration; Zerovalent iron; Column tests; Filtration; Adsorption; Zerovalent iron; Biosorbent materials
• ISSN: 2468-5844; 2468-5844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100241

Granular materials can be used in the context of different technologies for the treatment of contaminated solutions, such as groundwater, stormwater, wastewater, water intended for potable use, or leachate. For all such technologies, it is essential that the filtering media guarantee reactivity and permeability over a reasonably long time, avoiding the rapid replacement of the materials or the failure of the treatment goals. This mini-review provides an update on materials recently tested at the laboratory scale for heavy metal removal during batch or column tests. A recent trend in this field of research is the use of reactive materials derived from agricultural and industrial waste, alone or in combination with other conventional materials, such as zerovalent iron. Lack of knowledge of their long-term behavior is the main challenge related to the use of these new active materials, and therefore, long-term column tests are strongly recommended to correctly simulate the filtration process.
•Granular reactive materials can be employed in different treatment technologies.•Waste derived reactive materials are gaining attention in filtration technologies.•Reactive media can be selective toward pollutants in multicontaminated solutions.•Column tests are recommended to assess long-term efficiency of the reactive media.