Application of electrochemical oxidation technology in treating high-salinity organic ammonia-nitrogen wastewater

With the rapid industrialization and urbanization processes, wastewater pollution is becoming a severe issue that threatens the human health and environment. High-salinity organic ammonia-nitrogen wastewater is a difficult-to-treat type of wastewater, thereby posing a serious risk to the environment. This type of wastewater is generated from various sources, including smelting wastewater, pharmaceutical wastewater, landfill leachate and aquaculture wastewater. The sources, characteristics and hazards of high-salinity organic ammonia-nitrogen wastewater are presented. Electrochemical oxidation (EO) technology is investigated to treat this type of wastewater, including its basic principles and mechanisms. Finally, we analyze the influencing factors of EO and provide a conclusion and future prospects for this technology. •EO technology is suitable for high-salinity organic ammonia-nitrogen wastewater.•The common sources, characteristics, and hazards of this wastewater are summarized.•The removal mechanisms of COD and NH3–N by EO are summarized.•Some important affecting factors of EO technology are investigated.•The application and prospect of EO technology in this wastewater are presented.