Nature-based adsorbents: The future of sustainable wastewater treatment

The increasing detection of antibiotics and pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic environments represents a growing public health concern due to their potential impacts on human health, including chronic exposure risks and the Acceleration of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Conventional wastewater treatment systems are often insufficient for the complete removal of these emerging contaminants, allowing their release into water resources and increasing the need for innovative, sustainable, and accessible treatment approaches. This keynote presentation explores adsorption as a promising strategy for reducing pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater, with particular emphasis on renewable biomass-derived adsorbents, including sawdust and seaweed as sustainable alternatives to conventional activated carbon. Drawing on recent research, the presentation will examine the adsorption capacity, removal mechanisms, optimisation strategies, and practical potential of these nature-based materials for mitigating pharmaceutical contamination and improving water quality. By highlighting the role of low-cost and renewable adsorbent technologies in protecting water resources, this work contributes to the development of sustainable wastewater treatment solutions that support public health protection, reduce exposure to pharmaceutical residues and contribute to global efforts to address antimicrobial resistance and ensure safe water access.