Heavy metals removal from aqueous environments by electrocoagulation process- a systematic review
Edris Bazrafshan1, Leili Mohammadi1, Alireza Ansari-Moghaddam1
1Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering
|October 30, 2015
Summary
Electrocoagulation is an effective electrochemical method for treating wastewater, particularly for removing heavy metals. This review highlights its versatility and environmental compatibility for various industrial and domestic effluents.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Water Treatment Technology
Background:
- Heavy metal pollution is a growing environmental concern due to toxic material release.
- Conventional wastewater treatments (biological, chemical) are often slow, costly, or inefficient for toxic elements.
- Electrocoagulation offers a versatile and environmentally compatible alternative for effluent treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of electrocoagulation for treating domestic, industrial, and agricultural effluents.
- To specifically examine the efficacy of electrocoagulation in removing heavy metals from aqueous environments.
- To consolidate findings from approximately 100 published studies spanning 1977-2016.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published studies on electrocoagulation for wastewater treatment.
- Analysis of applications across diverse wastewater types (landfill leachate, textile, tannery, etc.).
- Focus on studies addressing the removal of heavy metals, bacteria, arsenic, fluoride, and pesticides.
Main Results:
- Electrocoagulation is a frequently studied method for treating heavy metal wastewater.
- The process demonstrates versatility in treating various industrial and domestic effluents.
- It is recognized for its environmental compatibility and potential efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Electrocoagulation shows significant promise as a cost-effective and efficient technology for heavy metal removal from wastewater.
- Its application extends to a wide range of pollutants and effluent types.
- Further research and application of electrocoagulation are warranted for sustainable water management.
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