CHAPTER 4: Natural Polysaccharides as Treatment Agents for Wastewater
-
Published:06 Sep 2013
-
Special Collection: 2013 ebook collection , ECCC Environmental eBooks 1968-2022 , 2011-2015 environmental chemistry subject collectionSeries: Green Chemistry
R. Srinivasan, in Green Materials for Sustainable Water Remediation and Treatment, ed. A. Mishra and J. H. Clark, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2013, pp. 51-81.
Download citation file:
This chapter gives an account of recent developments in biopolymers with an emphasis on natural polysaccharides as treatment agents in wastewater remediation. Almost all sources of water around the world are polluted to some degree, owing to a heavy influx of industrial effluents, domestic and agricultural wastes. These discharges vary from simple nutrients to highly toxic hazardous chemicals. Numerous approaches have been studied for the development of cheaper and more effective water remediation agents containing natural polymers. Among these, natural polysaccharides deserve particular attention. These materials have proved to be better treatment alternatives compared to their synthetic counterparts because of their particular structure, physicochemical characteristics, chemical stability, high reactivity and excellent selectivity towards aromatic compounds, metals and other contaminants that cause water pollution.