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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/ETERM/50
Heavy metals origins, toxicity, and wastewater remediation techniques

M. Rafique1, Faiz Rabbani2, M.B. Tahir3, Muneeb Irshad4
1 Department of Physics, University of Sahiwal, Sahiwal, Pakistan
2 Department of Environmental Science, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus,
Vehari, Pakistan
3 Department of Physics, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information
Technology,
Rahim Yar Khan 64200, Pakistan
4 Department of Physics, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Correspondence: mrafique.uet@gmail.com

Abstract
Due to industrialization and urbanization, the globe is confronting environmental
contamination and is in an alarming condition. Industrial wastewater discharge, in particular,
is creating major contamination in the environment (water, soil, and air) and has become a
research and scientific problem. Heavy metals such as Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Ar are found in
wastewater, causing toxicity in humans and the environment. The origins of heavy metals and
their toxicological effects on the environment are discussed in this work. For the treatment of
wastewater, several remediation techniques such as reverse osmosis, chemical precipitation,
and ultrafiltration are utilized, but their efficiency, residues, cost, and adaptability are still
restricted. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques and sub-
approaches have been examined in order to give a basic comprehension for novices as well as
a route for professionals to pick superior techniques.

Keywords: Heavy metal, contamination, environment, toxicology

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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