Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering (Dec 2023)
Wastewater treatment systems in Colombia: A systematic review of advanced oxidation processes for the removal of microbial agents
Abstract
The uncontrolled discharge of wastewater into aquatic ecosystems or receiving environments causes serious impacts, including environmental pollution (eutrophication) and the spread of diseases in humans. Therefore, it is crucial and indispensable to implement adequate and efficient treatment systems that allow the removal of compounds present in wastewater, microbial agents, and contaminants of emerging concern. The objective of this study was to determine the types of wastewater treatments being investigated in Latin America, specifically focusing on advanced oxidation processes.An exhaustive systematic review of all articles published in the recognized databases Science direct and PubMed was carried out. Data were obtained by applying a keyword search using Boolean terms, and were collected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria for articles published from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2022. Data collection was performed following the standards for systematic reviews and a checklist was used to contrast the quality of the articles and relevant information, such as author names, article title, year of publication, database used, type of study, and country where the research was conducted.In total, 3081 articles were thoroughly reviewed in the two databases. After a thorough evaluation of the quality of the articles according to the research objectives, 102 articles were selected that met the established criteria. These studies covered the period from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2022.This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of wastewater treatments based on advanced oxidation processes being investigated in Latin America. The results obtained can serve as a basis for the implementation of more effective and sustainable wastewater treatment strategies in the region, thus contributing to the protection of the environment and public health. However, further research and promotion of the adoption of these technologies in wastewater treatment systems is needed to address current and future challenges related to water pollution.
