Removal of organic micropollutants using advanced membrane-based water and wastewater treatment: A review

The rising consumption of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine disruptive compounds for healthcare purposes and improving living standards has resulted in the widespread occurrence of organic micropollutants (MPs) in water and wastewater. Conventional water/wastewater treatment plants are faced with inherent limitations in tackling these compounds, leading to difficulties in the provision of secure and safe water supplies. In this context, membrane technology has been found to be a promising method for resolving this emerging concern. To ensure the suitability of membrane-based treatment processes in full-scale applications, we first need to develop a better understanding of the behavior of MPs and the mechanisms behind their removal using advanced membrane technologies. This review provides a thorough overview of the advanced membrane-based treatment methods available for the effective removal of MPs, including reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, forward osmosis, and membrane distillation. •Greater use of PhACs, PCPs, and EDCs are resulting in the widespread occurrence of MPs.•RO, NF, FO, and MD membranes showed promising results for MPs removal.•Characteristics of MPs and solution chemistry had a significant effect on their retention.•Removal of MPs improved when membranes were modified using nanomaterials and employed in optimized conditions.