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The Combination of Micro-Nano Bubbles and Other Technologies for Emerging Contaminants' Elimination in Water Treatment
Original title: The Combination of Micro-Nano Bubbles and Other Technologies for Emerging Contaminants’ Elimination in Water Treatment
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Everyday water treatment struggles to remove newer pollutants like drug residues, "forever chemicals" (PFAS), microplastics, and modern pesticides—substances that can build up in our bodies and environment over time. This review rounds up research on a promising fix: tiny gas bubbles (called micro-nano bubbles) that, when paired with other treatments like ozone or specialized filters, may more effectively break down these contaminants in water. While the technology shows real promise, this paper is a summary of existing studies rather than new experiments, and researchers still need to work out the best ways to apply it in real-world water systems.
With the widespread application of new chemicals, the concentration of emerging contaminants (ECs), such as antibiotics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, and new pesticides, in aquatic environments is on the rise. ECs such as those examined in the studies exhibit high toxicity, persistence, and a propensity for bioaccumulation, which can lead to significant risks for ecosystems and human health. Traditional water treatment technologies exhibit limited removal capabilities for ECs, whereas micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) exhibit great potential in the field of ECs treatment, due to their unique physicochemical properties. This article systematically reviews the research progress on the treatment of ECs using MNBs combined with other technologies, including physical methods (adsorption enhancement), chemical methods (ozonation, persulfate oxidation, photocatalysis, and material catalysis) and biological methods (microbial synergy). This review summarizes the research progress and mechanisms of MNBs combination technologies, outlining the critical knowledge gaps and future research perspectives to advance the rational design and engineering application of MNBs for ECs’ elimination in water treatment.
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