Sustainable Advances in Phosphorus Removal and Recovery from Industrial Wastewater

Abstract

Phosphorus, an essential nutrient and a finite resource, poses significant environmental challenges when discharged into water bodies from industrial wastewater, contributing to eutrophication and ecosystem degradation. Concurrently, its recovery offers a sustainable pathway to address resource scarcity. This review critically evaluates recent progress in phosphorus removal and recovery technologies, emphasizing five widely recognized approaches: (i) biological processes, such as aerobic granular sludge and enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR); (ii) chemical precipitation using agents like lime and metal salts; (iii) struvite crystallization; (iv) electrocoagulation (EC) and (v) Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES)-for phosphorus recovery. The assessment focuses on these methods' efficiency, feasibility, and sustainability, highlighting their strengths and limitations. These strategies can foster eco-friendly wastewater management, mitigate eutrophication risks, and reduce dependence on finite phosphate resources.