Making waves: Defining advanced reduction technologies from the perspective of water treatment

Studies related to advanced reduction technologies (ARTs) have grown exponentially since the term was first coined in 2013. Despite recent interests in ARTs, the conditions and requirements for these processes have yet to be defined and clarifed. In comparision to well defined advanced oxidation technologies/processes (AOTs/AOPs) which involve the generation of hydroxyl radical as the common characteristic, ARTs function by electron donation from a variety of reducing agents and activators. Based on an extensive literature review, we propose that ARTs be defined as processes employing strong chemical reductants with E° ≤ -2.3 V vs. normal hydrogen electrode at 25 ºC. While extensive studies have revealed critical fundamental details of AOTs/AOPs mediated processes, there are still significant gaps in elucidation of the mechanistic details of reductive degradation/transformation of highly toxic compounds by ARTs. A significant number of pollutants and toxins resistant to AOTs/AOPs treatment are effectively degraded by ARTs. A great leap is needed on understanding ARTs to fully utilize their potential to efficiently remediate recalcitrant compounds of different sources and structures.