Overview of sugar distillery wastewater characteristics and the potential of nanomaterial adsorbents for treatment in Sindh, Pakistan
نویسندگان
1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
2 Department of Metallurgy & Material Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
3 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
4 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
5 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
6 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
7 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
doi
10.22126/arww.2025.11987.1364چکیده
Distilleries produce substantial amounts of wastewater containing high concentrations of organic and inorganic pollutants, leading to serious environmental concerns. In Sindh, Pakistan, water resources are at risk owing to the inappropriate disposal of industrial distillery effluents, contaminating land resources, water bodies, and groundwater. This has led to a notable increase in skin diseases and other health problems in Sindh, Pakistan. Therefore, effective and sustainable treatment strategies are required. We comprehensively reviewed the characteristics of sugar distillery wastewater from the Sindh region and highlighted its chemical composition, toxicity, and environmental impact. Conventional treatment methods often fail to achieve complete pollutant removal, necessitating the development of advanced alternatives. Nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and Nano-catalysts, have emerged as promising alternatives owing to their high surface areas, superior adsorption capacities, and reusability. This analysis examined a range of nanomaterials, such as metal oxides, carbon-based materials, and bio-inspired nanoparticles, and evaluated their potential for treating wastewater locally. This study aims to bridge the knowledge gaps and promote sustainable approaches for mitigating water pollution in the Sindh sugar distillery industry.
