Perspective Chapter: Utilization of Activated Carbon Derived from Biowaste for Heavy Metal Removal in Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Industrial human activities have resulted in the release of significant quantities of heavy metals into the environment. The contamination of water by heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) poses a serious threat due to their toxicity. Increasingly stringent discharge regulations on heavy metals have hastened the search for highly efficient yet economically feasible or alternative methods for their removal. Utilizing low-cost biowaste as biosorbents for the removal of dissolved metal ions has demonstrated potential to offer economical solutions to this environmental issue. The use of activated carbon (AC) for wastewater remediation is gaining significant attention among researchers, as it not only reduces production costs but also improves the efficiency of biowaste disposal. This chapter reviews recent developments and findings on the use of AC derived from biowaste for treating wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The origins and toxicity of heavy metal ions are discussed, highlighting that utilizing biowaste to remove these metals is environmentally beneficial. This approach addresses the issues of incineration and promotes recycling, aligning with the principles of circular economy.