About this Research Topic

Background

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are technologies that could effectively be used for the treatment of water and wastewater, especially while dealing with the removal of pathogenic microorganisms and priority contaminants including contaminants of emerging concern. Most of these toxic pollutants are difficult to be removed by conventional physicochemical or biological methods. Hence, these bio-recalcitrant compounds pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. Fortunately, AOPs are capable of converting these pollutants into biodegradable products, allowing their complete removal from water bodies if AOPs are used in combination with biological processes. Thus, the combination of AOPs with other treatment methods such as biological and membrane processes could significantly enhance the efficiency and reduce the cost of the overall water treatment process.

Despite the advancements in various AOPs for water and wastewater treatment, several aspects/challenges still need to be addressed for their large-scale applications such as cost-effectiveness in terms of energy and chemicals, the use of non-toxic reagents, the activity and recyclability of the (photo)catalysts and the design of more efficient plants/reactors. This Research Topic aims to offer the latest advancements and further insights into the aforementioned challenges. It will also highlight the recent advances, emerging challenges, advantages and modifications needed for industrial-scale applications of AOPs. The combination of various hydroxyl and sulfate radical-based AOPs with biological and membrane treatment technologies to reduce the overall struggle of water and wastewater purification will also be covered. Finally, the dependence of the efficiency of AOPs on natural water type/quality will also be addressed.

The scope of this research topic is to address recent advancements and challenges of AOPs for the effective treatment of pathogenic microorganisms and emerging and bio-recalcitrant contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, pesticides, dyes, endocrine disrupting compounds, and waste materials such as landfill leachate, agrochemicals, etc. that are present in water and wastewater. We welcome original research articles, reviews, mini reviews, perspectives and opinions on topics including but not limited to:

• New photo- and electro-catalysts for water treatment with high visible light activity and recyclability
• UV/hydrogen peroxide processes
• Ozone-based AOPs
• Peroxymonosulfate and persulfate-based AOPs
• Fenton processes
• Wet peroxide oxidation processes
• Gamma- and ultrasound irradiation processes
• Activated Fe(VI)-related AOPs
• Combinations of the above AOPs with biological and membrane technologies.
• Manuscripts dealing with the design and efficiency of water treatment plants/reactors based on the above processes
• Manuscripts investigating the dependence of the efficiency of AOPs on natural water type/quality

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Advanced oxidation processes, Membrane technology, Biodegradation, Organic pollutants, Water treatment

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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