A Comprehensive Review on Atrazine Adsorption: From Environmental Contamination to Efficient Removal Technologies

The expansion of global agriculture has intensified the use of herbicides such as atrazine (ATZ), resulting in widespread environmental contamination. Given its documented harmful effects, the development of effective treatment strategies is crucial. This review synthesizes the fundamental mechanisms behind ATZ adsorption, identifying it as a spontaneous and energetically favorable process, predominantly governed by specific physicochemical interactions. The analysis reveals that adsorption efficiency is critically influenced by the pH of the medium, since this parameter determines the charge state of the adsorbent surface and the ATZ molecule itself, thus modulating the attractive forces. The high adsorption capacity observed in various materials is intrinsically linked to their porous architecture and surface area, which facilitate the capture and retention of molecules. The desorption process, in turn, demonstrates the reversible nature of certain interactions, allowing for the regeneration and reuse of materials. The unique contribution of this analysis lies in its mechanistic approach, which transcends the mere presentation of data to offer guiding principles for the design of adsorbents. By connecting operational parameters to molecular phenomena, the review establishes a critical basis for translating promising laboratory results into real-world applications, providing a roadmap for developing practical and sustainable solutions against ATZ contamination.