Advanced Control, Removal, and Resource Recovery Processes in Wastewater Systems

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Green Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2025 | Viewed by 423

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, 120 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
2. Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia
Interests: water and wastewater treatment; emerging contaminants, waste management technology; water–energy nexus; bioenergy; pollution control

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Guest Editor
Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Management, International College of Engineering and Management, Muscat, Oman
Interests: pollution control; environmental engineering; wastewater treatment; water quality; waste management
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern wastewater management faces dual challenges: mitigating environmental harm from pollutants and transitioning toward resource-efficient systems. The rise of recalcitrant contaminants (e.g., PFAS, antibiotics) and the urgency to align with circular economy principles demand integrated solutions that combine removal efficiency with energy and material recovery. Innovations in separation technologies, process automation, and bio-based systems are redefining wastewater treatment as a hub for sustainability, energy generation, and resource reuse.

This Special Issue on “Advanced Control, Removal, and Resource Recovery Processes in Wastewater Systemsseeks interdisciplinary studies addressing process optimization and system integration. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Advanced separation techniques (membranes, electrocoagulation);
  2. Detection and removal of emerging contaminants;
  3. AI-driven process control and real-time monitoring;
  4. Bioenergy production (e.g., microbial fuel cells, algal bioreactors);
  5. Nutrient recovery and valorization of wastewater streams;
  6. Energy–water nexus optimization;
  7. Decentralized and nature-based treatment systems.

Submissions should highlight technological scalability, economic feasibility, or policy implications to advance the field toward zero-waste paradigms.

Prof. Dr. Mohammed J.K. Bashir
Dr. Salem S. Abu Amr
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • emerging contaminants
  • membrane separation
  • bioenergy production
  • water–energy nexus
  • resource recovery
  • wastewater treatment

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

32 pages, 2270 KiB  
Review
Natural Coagulants for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment: Current Global Research Trends
by Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza, Tharaa M. Alzghoul, Dia Eddin Nassani and Mohammed J. K. Bashir
Processes 2025, 13(6), 1754; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061754 - 2 Jun 2025
Viewed by 279
Abstract
Natural coagulants have gained significant attention as effective agents for wastewater treatment, particularly in the removal of heavy metals. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 268 publications over the past decade, aiming to assess research trends and developments in the application [...] Read more.
Natural coagulants have gained significant attention as effective agents for wastewater treatment, particularly in the removal of heavy metals. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 268 publications over the past decade, aiming to assess research trends and developments in the application of natural coagulants in wastewater management. The analysis reveals a marked increase in publication output, with the number of articles rising from just five in 2015 to fifty-one in 2024, indicating a growing global awareness and investment in sustainable wastewater treatment practices. “Environmental science” emerges as the leading discipline, accounting for 31.3% of the total publications. Notably, Malaysia is identified as the foremost contributor, with 60 publications and 1149 citations, followed by India and Brazil, highlighting the robust research activity in these regions. The study identifies key natural coagulants, such as Moringa oleifera and chitosan, which are frequently cited for their efficacy in reducing heavy metal concentrations and improving overall water quality. Leading funding organizations, such as the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior in Brazil, have significantly contributed to the growth of this field by financing numerous studies. Prominent journals, including the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering and Water Research, play a crucial role in disseminating research findings and advancing knowledge in this area. These publications are vital for sharing innovative methodologies and effective treatment solutions in the field of natural coagulants. Effective treatment methodologies identified in the literature include coagulation/flocculation and adsorption. The study highlights a variety of natural materials utilized for wastewater treatment, including plant-based coagulants derived from agricultural by-products, which not only address environmental concerns but also promote resource recovery. Full article
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