Environmental Nanotechnology for Water Purification

The book comprehensively covers and provides new insights on all nanoparticles, composites and advanced methods employed in water purification. Around a million tons of effluents produced by major industries such as plastics, textiles, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals are released into rivers and oceans every year. Dyes, pigments and metals are extensively used in food, paper, carpet, rubber, plastics, cosmetics, and textile industries, in order to color and finish products. As a result, they generate a considerable amount of colored wastewater rich in organic, inorganic, and mineral substances which are continuously polluting the water bodies and affecting human and aquatic life. Besides these industries, urban and agricultural activities also generate effluents high in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Water contamination has increasingly become a global threat to the ecology and human health. The presence of toxic substances and limited availability of analytical techniques has intensified research activities to provide alternatives for better protection of public health and the environment. Among recently discovered technologies, nanotechnology has played a key role in wastewater treatment. Environmental Nanotechnology for Water Purification presents an overview of environmental toxicity of nanoparticles in water and their effects on human health and possible applications of nanoparticles and composites in wastewater treatment. The book also covers: Conventional and advanced methods currently employed in water purification Preparation and characterization of novel nanocomoposites for wastewater treatment using conventional and state-of-the art methods Cutting-edge applications of nanoparticle/composites in the removal of dyes and heavy metals Audience This book is an essential source of information for a wide readership, including scientists, researchers, scholars, engineers and students from diverse backgrounds such as chemistry and chemical engineering, materials and environmental science, textile engineering, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. It can also be used as a reference book for undergraduate and graduate courses.