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Water Sustainability: Innovative and Sustainable Technologies for Wastewater Pollution Control in the Context of the Circular Economy

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 8 March 2026 | Viewed by 5579

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Wetlands and Environmental Sustainability Laboratory, Division of Graduate Studies and Research, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Misantla, Km 1.8 Carretera a Loma del Cojolite, Misantla 93821, Veracruz, Mexico
2. Faculty of Engineering, University of Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
Interests: wastewater treatment; constructed wetlands; nature-based solutions; circular economy; sustainable construction; sustainable water management in ecosystems
Dr. Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Graduate Studies and Research, National Technological Institute of Mexico/Higher Technological Institute of Misantla, Misantla, Mexico
Interests: aquaculture with symbiotic technologies; alternative energies and eco-technologies; treatment and reuse of wastewater with constructed wetlands; nature-based applications for the agricultural sector; high-tech solutions for the efficient use of water for the sector agriculture; circular economy; economic analysis and complexity of sustainability: ideology; science; philosophy and future
Dr. María Cristina López‐Méndez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Graduate Studies and Research, National Technological Institute of Mexico/Higher Technological Institute of Misantla, Misantla, Veracruz, Mexico
Interests: biochemical processes; experimental biotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wastewater treatment has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century. Rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and the intensification of agricultural practices have led to a significant increase in wastewater generation, often exceeding the capacity of conventional treatment systems. This situation is exacerbated by the increasing presence of emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceutical products, microplastics, and persistent organic compounds, which traditional methods fail to effectively eliminate.

Research in this field has evolved considerably in recent decades, moving from an approach focused solely on contaminant removal to a more holistic vision that considers wastewater a valuable resource. This paradigm shift aligns with the principles of the circular economy, which seeks to minimize waste and maximize resource reuse.

The importance of this research area lies in its potential to simultaneously address multiple global challenges, including water scarcity, food security, the energy crisis, and climate change. The development of innovative technologies for wastewater treatment not only improves water quality and protects ecosystems but also offers opportunities for the recovery of valuable resources such as nutrients, energy, and reusable water.

The main objective of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for the dissemination of the latest advances in sustainable and innovative technologies for wastewater treatment, with a particular focus on solutions that incorporate circular economy principles. We seek to present research that transcends the traditional linear approach to wastewater treatment, exploring methods that not only purify water but also recover and revalue resources.

This Special Issue aligns perfectly with the scope of the journal, which is dedicated to publishing cutting-edge research in environmental engineering and sustainable resource management. By focusing on the intersection between wastewater treatment and circular economy, this Special Issue addresses crucial topics for global sustainability, including resource conservation, energy efficiency, and climate change mitigation.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Advanced technologies for the removal of emerging contaminants in wastewater.
  • Energy-efficient and self-sufficient wastewater treatment systems.
  • Recovery and reuse of nutrients from wastewater for agricultural applications.
  • Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the optimization of wastewater treatment processes.
  • Integration of aquaponic systems in wastewater treatment.
  • Innovations in the treatment and reuse of aquaculture effluents.
  • Bioremediation and phytoremediation for industrial wastewater treatment.
  • Bioenergy recovery from sludge and other by-products of wastewater treatment.
  • Circular economy models applied to wastewater management in urban environments.
  • Decentralized and small-scale technologies for wastewater treatment in rural communities.
  • Life cycle assessment and sustainability analysis of new wastewater treatment technologies.

Dr. Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo
Dr. Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres
Dr. María Cristina López‐Méndez
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

  • sustainable urban and rural development
  • wastewater treatment
  • nature-based solutions
  • sustainable agriculture
  • aquaponics and aquaculture
  • renewable energy
  • soil bioremediation
  • eco-engineering
  • use of artificial intelligence wastewater
  • sustainability assessment
  • biodiversity
  • wetlands

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 15051 KB  
Article
Performance of Large-Scale Ornamental Wetlands for Municipal Wastewater Treatment: A Case Study in a Polluted Estuary in the Gulf of Mexico
by Joaquin Sangabriel Lomeli, Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro, Teresa Zamora-Lobato, Elber José Sandoval-Herazo, Jacel Adame-García, Florentina Zurita, Maria Cecilia Monroy-Pineda, Graciano Aguilar-Cortés, Saúl Rivera and Mayerlín Sandoval-Herazo
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052120 - 1 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1742
Abstract
This study investigates the performance of large-scale ornamental treatment wetlands (TW) for the treatment of municipal wastewater in the municipality of Nautla, Veracruz, Mexico, specifically within a contaminated estuary in the Gulf of Mexico. The research employed a treatment wetland system that integrates [...] Read more.
This study investigates the performance of large-scale ornamental treatment wetlands (TW) for the treatment of municipal wastewater in the municipality of Nautla, Veracruz, Mexico, specifically within a contaminated estuary in the Gulf of Mexico. The research employed a treatment wetland system that integrates mixed flow methods, including vertical subsurface flow (VSSF) and horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF), to optimize operational, maintenance, and energy costs. Over a monitoring period from 15 October 2022 to 17 September 2023, the system achieved remarkable efficiencies in the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH3-N, NH4-N, NO2-N, NO3-N, total nitrogen (TN), with removal rates of 93.37%, 93.37%,91.36%, 91.29%, 95.74%, 97.36%, 71.69%, 92.26% and 91.45%, respectively. The effluent complied with the water quality standards established by the official Mexican standard NOM-001-SEMARNAT-2021, demonstrating the effectiveness of this TW configuration in treating water characterized by high chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels. The results are especially relevant for tropical climates, where high temperatures and humidity can affect microbial activity and nutrient cycling, potentially enhancing treatment performance and reducing construction and management costs. This research highlights the viability of ornamental treatment wetlands as a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment in tropical climates and provides valuable information for future implementation and design criteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Sustainability: Innovative and Sustainable Technologies for Wastewater Pollution Control in the Context of the Circular Economy)
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Review

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21 pages, 1837 KB  
Review
Removal of Heavy Metals from Galvanic Industry Wastewater: A Review of Different Possible Methods
by Anna Kowalik-Klimczak
Sustainability 2025, 17(19), 8562; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198562 - 24 Sep 2025
Viewed by 160
Abstract
The galvanic industry requires considerable amounts of water and produces significant quantities of wastewater. Two types of wastewater are created in the processes of the galvanic application of metal coatings: used galvanic baths and wastewater generated while rinsing coated elements. The composition and [...] Read more.
The galvanic industry requires considerable amounts of water and produces significant quantities of wastewater. Two types of wastewater are created in the processes of the galvanic application of metal coatings: used galvanic baths and wastewater generated while rinsing coated elements. The composition and amount of wastewater depend on the type of process, the plant’s operational system, and the quantity of water utilised to rinse the coated elements. In this article, the possibilities of using different techniques, such as chemical precipitation, coagulation and flocculation, ion exchange, adsorption, and membrane filtration, to remove heavy metals from galvanic wastewater were analysed and assessed. It was determined that the use of physicochemical methods (i.e., chemical precipitation, coagulation, and flocculation) to remove heavy metals has significant disadvantages, including operational costs connected with the purchase of chemical reagents and the emergence of metal complexes requiring management/utilisation. On the other hand, the processes of ion exchange and adsorption can be used only for wastewater characterised by a low heavy metal concentration, with organic matter preliminarily removed. In addition, waste polluted with heavy metals in the form of used regenerative baths and used sorbents is generated during these processes. In turn, the advanced techniques of membrane filtration allow for the removal of different types of organic pollutants and heavy metals. The processes of membrane wastewater treatment exhibit a range of advantages compared to traditional technologies, including the complete, environmentally friendly removal of permanent organic pollution, easy integration into conventional technologies, a limited amount of residue, a high level of separation, and a shorter process time. The efficiency of membrane wastewater treatment depends on many parameters, including, most of all, the composition, pH, and type of membrane, as well as process conditions. The possibility of using new types of membranes to remove heavy metals from spent galvanic baths was analysed, and the possibility of using the processes in wastewater treatment systems according to the circular economy model was assessed. The assessment of the efficiency of heavy metal removal in hybrid systems combining specific individual processes and the development of state-of-the-art material solutions to realise these processes may be an interesting direction of research in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Sustainability: Innovative and Sustainable Technologies for Wastewater Pollution Control in the Context of the Circular Economy)
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17 pages, 624 KB  
Review
Design Criteria for Wastewater Treatment and Disposal by Evapotranspiration Systems
by Adivânia Cardoso da Silva, Adriana Duneya Díaz-Carrillo, António Freire Diogo and Paulo Sérgio Scalize
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7961; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177961 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 786
Abstract
The unsuitable performance of or deficit in basic sanitation infrastructure, especially in sparsely populated rural communities, remains critical, particularly in many developing regions, and demands sustainable, cost-effective, and easily operated solutions. Thus, the objective of this Review is to analyze design parameters for [...] Read more.
The unsuitable performance of or deficit in basic sanitation infrastructure, especially in sparsely populated rural communities, remains critical, particularly in many developing regions, and demands sustainable, cost-effective, and easily operated solutions. Thus, the objective of this Review is to analyze design parameters for evapotranspiration tanks (EvapTs), adopted as nature-based solutions for zero-discharge domestic sewage treatment. The literature search was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, complemented by backward citation tracking. From 4434 records, 29 studies were selected based on specific criteria, such as the availability of design data and their application in urban or rural contexts. The main findings indicated required areas per inhabitant ranging from 0.5 to 7.7 m2, primarily influenced by climate conditions and the type of plant used. Statistical analysis showed a negative correlation between the area of the evaporation tanks and the mean annual temperature, with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r of −0.74). For mean annual temperatures between 19 and 27 degrees Celsius, linear regression showed a variation between 4.7 and 0.6 m2/inhabitant with a reduction coefficient of −0.51 per degree Celsius, suggesting that warmer climates require smaller system areas per capita. Most studies were conducted at full scale, with Brazil accounting for the highest number of publications. EvapT is identified as a promising ecological technology that is particularly suitable for rural settings. However, it still requires technical standardization, cost–benefit analysis, and research on social acceptance. The adoption of clear design criteria may enhance system replicability, support public policy development, and contribute to SDG 6—Clean Water and Sanitation for All. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Sustainability: Innovative and Sustainable Technologies for Wastewater Pollution Control in the Context of the Circular Economy)
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Other

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31 pages, 3790 KB  
Systematic Review
Plants Used in Constructed Wetlands for Aquaculture: A Systematic Review
by Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres, Gastón Ballut-Dajud, Graciano Aguilar-Cortés, Elizabeth Delfín-Portela and Luis Carlos Sandoval Herazo
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6298; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146298 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1386
Abstract
The latest FAO report indicates that aquaculture accounts for 51% of the global production volume of fish and seafood. However, despite the continuous growth of this activity, there is evidence of the excessive use of groundwater in its production processes, as well as [...] Read more.
The latest FAO report indicates that aquaculture accounts for 51% of the global production volume of fish and seafood. However, despite the continuous growth of this activity, there is evidence of the excessive use of groundwater in its production processes, as well as pollution caused by nutrient discharges into surface waters due to the water exchange required to maintain water quality in fishponds. Given this context, the objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to review which emergent and floating plant species are used in constructed wetlands (CWs) for the bioremediation of aquaculture wastewater; (2) to identify the aquaculture species whose wastewater has been treated with CW systems; and (3) to examine the integration of CWs with recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) for water reuse. A systematic literature review was conducted, selecting 70 scientific articles published between 2003 and 2023. The results show that the most used plant species in CW systems were Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia, Canna indica, Eichhornia crassipes, and Arundo donax, out of a total of 43 identified species. These plants treated wastewater generated by 25 aquaculture species, including Oreochromis niloticus, Litopenaeus vannamei, Ictalurus punctatus, Clarias gariepinus, Tachysurus fulvidraco, and Cyprinus carpio, However, only 40% of the reviewed studies addressed aspects related to the incorporation of RAS elements in their designs. In conclusion, the use of plants for wastewater treatment in CW systems is feasible; however, its application remains largely at the experimental scale. Evidence indicates that there are limited real-scale applications and few studies focused on the reuse of treated water for agricultural purposes. This highlights the need for future research aimed at production systems that integrate circular economy principles in this sector, through RAS–CW systems. Additionally, there is a wide variety of plant species that remain unexplored for these purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Sustainability: Innovative and Sustainable Technologies for Wastewater Pollution Control in the Context of the Circular Economy)
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