Editing Environmental technology (section)

==Purification and waste management==

===Water purification===
[[File:Reverse osmosis desalination plant.JPG|thumb|A view across a [[reverse osmosis]] [[desalination]] plant in [[Spain]]]]
{{excerpt|water purification}}

===Air purification===
[[Air purifier|Air purification]] describes the processes used to remove contaminants and pollutants from the air to reduce the potential adverse effects on humans and the environment. The process of air purification may be performed using methods such as mechanical filtration, ionization, activated carbon adsorption, photocatalytic oxidation, and ultraviolet light germicidal irradiation.

===Sewage treatment===
{{excerpt|Sewage treatment}}

===Environmental remediation===
[[Environmental remediation]] is the process through which contaminants or pollutants in soil, water and other media are removed to improve environmental quality. The main focus is the reduction of hazardous substances within the environment. Some of the areas involved in environmental remediation include; [[soil contamination]], [[hazardous waste]], groundwater contamination, oil, gas and chemical spills. There are three most common types of environmental remediation. These include soil, water, and sediment remediation. <ref name="ancoenv">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=What Are the 3 Main Types of Site Remediation? |url=https://www.ancoenv.net/what-are-the-3-main-types-of-site-remediation |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=www.ancoenv.net |language=en}}</ref>           

Soil remediation consists of removing contaminants in soil, as these pose great risks to humans and the ecosystem. Some examples of this are heavy metals, pesticides, and radioactive materials. Depending on the contaminant the remedial processes can be physical, chemical, thermal, or biological.           

Water remediation is one of the most important considering water is an essential natural resource. Depending on the source of water there will be different contaminants. Surface water contamination mainly consists of agricultural, animal, and industrial waste, as well as acid mine drainage. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=The main three types of environmental remediation and reclamation - Anderson Engineering |url=https://www.andersoneng.com/the-main-three-types-of-environmental-remediation-and-reclamation/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |language=en-US}}</ref> There has been a rise in the need for water remediation due to the increased discharge of industrial waste, leading to a demand for sustainable water solutions. The market for water remediation is expected to consistently increase to $19.6 billion by 2030. <ref>{{Cite press release |last=LLC |first=Rationalstat |date=2023-11-27 |title=Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market to Reach US$ 19.6 Billion by 2030, Driven by Stringent Environmental Regulations and Growing Demand for Sustainable Water Management Solutions {{!}} According to RationalStat |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/11/27/2785883/0/en/Industrial-Wastewater-Treatment-Market-to-Reach-US-19-6-Billion-by-2030-Driven-by-Stringent-Environmental-Regulations-and-Growing-Demand-for-Sustainable-Water-Management-Solutions-.html |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |language=en}}</ref>          

Sediment remediation consists of removing contaminated sediments. Is it almost similar to soil remediation except it is often more sophisticated as it involves additional contaminants. To reduce the contaminants it is likely to use physical, chemical, and biological processes that help with source control, but if these processes are executed correctly, there's a risk of contamination resurfacing. <ref name="ancoenv" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-27 |title=Sediment Remediation • EnvGuide |url=https://us.envguide.com/sediment-remediation-2/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=EnvGuide |language=en-US |last1=Eg |first1=Contributor01 }}</ref>

===Solid waste management===
[[Solid waste management]] is the purification, consumption, reuse, disposal, and treatment of [[solid waste]] that is undertaken by the government or the ruling bodies of a city/town.<ref>Retrieved June 16th, 2009. "Urban Waste Management". Retrieved June 16th, 2009. http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/237191468330923040/pdf/918610v20WP0FM0BE0CATALOGED0BY0WED0.pdf </ref> It refers to the collection, treatment, and disposal of non-soluble, solid waste material. Solid waste is associated with both industrial, institutional, commercial and residential activities. Hazardous solid waste, when improperly disposed can encourage the infestation of insects and rodents, contributing to the spread of diseases. Some of the most common types of solid waste management include; landfills, vermicomposting, composting, recycling, and incineration. However, a major barrier for solid waste management practices is the high costs associated with recycling and the risks of creating more pollution.

=== E-Waste Recycling ===
The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) has seen significant technological advancements due to increasing environmental concerns and the growing volume of electronic product disposals. Traditional e-waste recycling methods, which often involve manual disassembly, expose workers to hazardous materials and are labor-intensive. Recent innovations have introduced automated processes that improve safety and efficiency, allowing for more precise separation and recovery of valuable materials.<ref>{{cite web |title=Advancements in E-Waste Recycling Techniques |url=https://www.sustainablereview.com/advancements-in-e-waste-recycling |access-date=2023-04-22 |publisher=Sustainable Review}}</ref>

Modern e-waste recycling techniques now leverage automated shredding and advanced sorting technologies, which help in effectively segregating different types of materials for recycling. This not only enhances the recovery rate of precious metals but also minimizes the environmental impact by reducing the amount of waste destined for landfills. Furthermore, research into biodegradable electronics aims to reduce future e-waste through the development of electronics that can decompose more naturally in the environment.<ref>{{cite web |title=10 Breakthrough Technologies 2024 |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/02/10/1075422/10-breakthrough-technologies-2024 |access-date=2023-04-22 |publisher=MIT Technology Review}}</ref>

These advancements support a shift towards a circular economy, where the lifecycle of materials is extended, and environmental impacts are significantly minimized.

=== Bioremediation ===
[[Bioremediation]] is a process that uses [[Microorganism|microorganisms]] such as [[bacteria]], [[Fungus|fungi]], plant enzymes, and [[yeast]] to neutrilize hazardous containments that can be in the environment. This could help mitigate a variety of environmental hazards, including [[Oil spill|oil spills]], [[Pesticide|pesticides]], [[heavy metals]], and other pollutants. <ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Bioremediation |url=https://www.hawaii.edu/abrp/biordef.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=www.hawaii.edu}}</ref> Bioremediation can be conducted either on-site ('in situ') or off-site ('ex situ') which is often necessary if the climate is too cold. Factors influencing the duration of bioremediation would include to the extent of the contamination, environmental conditions, and with timelines that can range from months to years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is Bioremediation, and How Does It Work (With Examples)? |url=https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bioremediation.asp |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Investopedia |language=en}}</ref>

===Examples===
*[[Biofilter|Biofiltration]]
*[[Bioreactor]]
*[[Bioremediation]]
*[[Composting toilet]]
*[[Desalination]]
*[[Thermal depolymerization]]
*[[Pyrolysis]]