Efficient removal of phosphorus by adsorption

The release of excessive amounts of phosphorus into water bodies causes growth of algae, eutrophication, death of fish and plants, reduction in water quality, depletion of dissolved oxygen, and other serious environmental problems. Technology with high-efficiency treatments is used to alleviate eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems caused by the release of excessive amounts of phosphorus. Amongst the chemical, physical and biological methods used for removing phosphates from water, adsorption technology has proven to be effective even at low concentrations. Even though different adsorbents have been developed with excellent properties, many shortcomings were observed. The first aim of this review is to provide facts on novel adsorbents (including biochar, carbonaceous adsorbent, zeolites, calcium silicate hydrate, and metal oxides) used for phosphate removal. Second, various adsorbents applied for phosphate removal have been compared. Third, based on the aforementioned criteria, the best adsorbents are proposed and this is the key novelty of this review work. Moreover, future aspects and challenges regarding nitrate and phosphate removal are presented.