5. Characteristics, Mechanisms, and Possible Utilization in Treating Wastewater Effluent and Benefiting from the Recovered Nutrients Using Plant-Based Bioflocculants

Water has become an essential resource for living, with increasing urbanization and population. Though water is a renewable resource, we still face water shortages due to excessive use of it. Recycling wastewater or wastewater treatment is the best alternative to address the current water crisis. The major challenge faced during the process of wastewater treatment is the removal of suspended particles. Larger particles are removed physically or by filtration, but it is difficult to remove smaller particles as they are lighter and do not settle down. This challenge can be solved using flocculants. Flocculants are chemical substances that help to accelerate the rate of sedimentation by attracting the smaller solid particles in liquid and making it bigger, which aids in the sedimentation process due to its size. The mechanism involved is the formation of a polymer bridge between the particles, hence marking a larger colloid. Without causing further harm, the plant-based flocculant approach offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. The removal of suspended particles from wastewater is efficiently accomplished by it. The flocculants that are derived from plants are considered a rewarding source of bioflocculants as they are non-toxic and biodegradable and do not disturb the ecosystem. Besides, the utilization of plant-based bioflocculants allows for the recovery of valuable nutrients from wastewater sludge. By leveraging the properties of the sludge through a series of operations, nutrients can be extracted, offering additional environmental and economic benefits.