Abstract
Rapid industrialization, expanding urbanization, and unrestrained use of natural resources contribute to environmental issues, particularly the contamination of water bodies by a variety of chemical compounds due to inadequate wastewater treatment. These contaminants, referred to as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), pose global challenges due to their widespread occurrence, persistence, and bioaccumulation, stemming from anthropogenic activities. Notable examples of CECs include pharmaceuticals like paracetamol and synthetic chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), underscoring the imperative for effective wastewater treatment. Furthermore, phenolic species originating from pharmaceutical and dye industries endure in wastewater, posing threats to human health and ecosystems. To address these challenges, permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) have been developed to treat polluted waters, utilizing various materials. However, concerns about their manufacturing complexity processes have prompted the exploration of simpler and eco-friendly alternatives. Promising options include geopolymers, activated carbons derived from waste, and carbon nanotubes sourced from plastic solid waste. Integrating these materials into permeable barriers and adopting the concept of PRBs, with a focus on circular economy principles, presents a sustainable approach to mitigate population exposure to contaminated water. This innovative strategy not only addresses the environmental and health risks associated with water pollution but also aligns with the broader purpose of this work, which is to produce environmentally friendly permeable barriers for application in systems post wastewater treatment plants.