WATER MICROPOLLUTANTS: CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

This article reviews the different kinds of emerging contaminants, their origin and use, and their presence in the Spanish waters, both in surface and groundwater. Micropollutants are compounds of different origin and chemical nature which had been unnoticed (due to their low concentration) and don’t have specific regulation. They are divided into six major groups, and many of them behave as endocrine disruptors causing large negative effects on human health and environment. They are in waters because the waste water treatment plants are not designed for their removal, so they are being discharged. Different alternatives for their removal are discussed - physico- chemical, biological and hybrid treatment technologies -. Among the physicochemical process, the advance oxidation processes (AOPs) are very promising.

Keywords

• endocrine disruptors
• adsorption
• advanced oxidation process
• membrane bioreactors