Removal of Heavy Metals from Water: Technological Advances and Today's Lookout Through Membrane Applications

Water contamination by heavy metals poses significant environmental challenges, leading to severe health issues such as gastrointestinal disturbances and potential long-term diseases like cancer. This research aims to explore effective methods for the removal of heavy metals from water, focusing on membrane-based technologies due to their sustainable and environmentally friendly characteristics. A comprehensive review is conducted on various conventional and advanced separation techniques, including chemical precipitation, ion exchange, adsorption, and flocculation, highlighting their efficiencies and drawbacks, particularly regarding the generation of secondary pollutants and recovery issues. In contrast, membrane processes such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and electrodialysis demonstrate the capability of treating water efficiently without introducing chemical contaminants. Among these methods, ultrafiltration with membrane modification emerges as a preferable option due to its lower energy requirements and operational simplicity. This paper discusses the fundamental principles, parameters, advantages, and limitations of both conventional and advanced methods for heavy metal separation, ultimately underscoring the need for reliable and sustainable solutions in water treatment practices.