Eco-Friendly Adsorbents: Innovative Strategies for Pesticide Removal from Soil and Wastewater

Pesticide residues from agrochemicals pose significant environmental and public health risks due to their persistence and widespread contamination of soil, water, and crops. The persistent challenge of pesticide contamination requires innovative and sustainable treatment strategies to safeguard public health and environmental integrity. Although wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are designed to mitigate these pollutants, their efficiency varies, and certain pesticides persist or transform into more toxic by-products during treatment. Therefore, developing alternative methods for the effective removal of pesticide residues is imperative. This review critically evaluates the potential of adsorption, particularly using green adsorbents, as a sustainable and efficient approach for removing pesticide contaminants from soil and wastewater. Green adsorbents, derived from agricultural and industrial by-products such as sea materials, biomasses, humic acid, spent mushroom substrate, biochar, and cellulose-based adsorbents, offer a cost-effective, abundant, and environmentally friendly solution for soil treatment and water purification. Their high pollutant-binding capacity, selectivity, and affinity make them promising candidates for widespread application in soil and wastewater treatment. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing the scalability and real-world application of these adsorbents for large-scale remediation efforts. In conclusion, addressing the risks posed by pesticide residues necessitates revisiting agricultural practices and wastewater treatment strategies. The integration of green adsorbents offers a sustainable approach to mitigating pesticide contamination, thereby protecting public health and supporting environmental sustainability. This review highlights the importance of adopting green adsorbents as viable alternatives to conventional treatment methods, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize wastewater management and mitigate the adverse impacts of pesticide residues on ecosystems and human well-being.