Bio-waste valorisation: Agricultural wastes as biosorbents for removal of (in)organic pollutants in wastewater treatment

The conventional waste management practices dispose or incinerate agricultural and forestry waste, contributing to the environmental pollution while misusing biomass, a valuable resource with great potential of reuse. In fact, cultivation crops harvesting generate an abundant amount (e.g., stones, shells, straw) that can be used for wastewater treatment. Waste biomass may as: (i) adsorbent in its original, raw form, following ambient drying grinding; (ii) modified bio-based sorbents; (iii) source material synthesis activated carbon adsorbents through carbonization. Despite numerous publications this field examining removal wide range target pollutants (metals, metalloids, dyes, pesticides, as well emerging contaminants) by several materials, more realistic studies are still required evaluate remove residual compounds complex matrices, testing natural i.e., samples without spiking compounds. This perspective paper highlights how integrated-engineering approach help solving environmental-pollution issues related water, solid air pollution. Chiefly, application locally produced bio-waste treatment tackles water contamination, decreases overall reduces gas emissions caused transportation, and/or disposal.