Insights into remediation technology for malachite green wastewater treatment

Malachite green (MG) dye is a common industrial dye and organic contaminant that can be found in (waste)water. Textile and food industries make use of MG as dyeing and food coloring agents, respectively. However, MG is both genotoxic and mutagenic. Hence, the elimination of MG from MG-laden-wastewater is germane. This review summarizes up-to-date researches that have been reported in literature as regards the decontamination of toxic MG wastewater. Various removal methods (adsorption, membrane, Fenton system, and heterogenous and homogeneous photodegradation) were discussed. Of the two basic technologies that are comprehensively explored and reviewed, chemical treatment methods are not as viable as physical removal methods, such as the adsorption technology, due to the lack of secondary pollutant production, simple design, low operation costs, and resource availability. This review also presents various practical knowledge gaps needed for large-scale applications of adsorptive removal methods for MG. It concludes by recommending further research on the techniques of cheap and simple decontamination of MG to get clean water.