A Comprehensive review of organic pollutants removal techniques: adsorption, degradation, and advanced treatment processes

Pesticides, along with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and phenols, are among the most common organic pollutants globally due to their persistent nature and widespread distribution in various ecosystems. Despite undergoing biological, chemical, physical, and physicochemical degradation processes, these contaminants exhibit high stability and, in some cases, water solubility, enabling their prolonged persistence in various environmental matrices such as water, air, and soil, where they pose significant environmental and health risks, necessitating remediation through diverse strategies within these classifications. This review provides an in-depth analysis of both well-established and emerging methods for the removal of pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, and phenols, focusing on specific remediation strategies within these classifications. Techniques include bioremediation using microorganisms, adsorption via clays, graphene-based composites, and polymeric materials, as well as chemical treatments such as advanced oxidation processes. The key characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each technique and material are discussed to provide a comprehensive understanding of current strategies for organic pollutant remediation.