Removal of oil-related organic contaminants from water by using functionalized porous materials

The polluted water is one of the major environmental concern and it has become a serious global challenge. The major contributors to water pollution are chemical contaminants that continuously being added into the water. The presence of chemical contaminants can be divided into three major categories. One is inorganic, organic and hybrid chemical contaminants. In this proposal, the major focus will remain on the organic contaminants due to their high toxicity. The source of organic contaminants is from various industries, household activities, agricultural activities such as extensive use of fungicide, pesticide, and insecticides. History has revealed numerous organic spill incidents that are major source of organic contaminants. A wide range of organic contaminants is introduced into the water during oil exploration. The organic contaminants can be divided into polar and nonpolar groups. The organic contaminants have server adverse effects on human and marine life. Apart from the direct effect, the organic contaminants can bioaccumulate into the food chain and can affect indirectly its consumers. Some of the organic contaminants are carcinogenic and may increase the risk of several chronic illnesses The water scarcity is threatening the global community. It is important to discuss that water utilization has grown twice to the rate of population growth over the previous century. It is alarming that clean water is running out at a rapid pace. Due to the importance of the subject, this designed research has carried out the high significance. The aim of the research is the introduction of cost-effective materials that will operate to remove the toxic organic contaminants possibly by utilizing both modes of adsorption and filtration or one of them according to the final design of the material. If this research remains successful, it will add the class of materials that can selectively remove the organic contaminants from the water. The possibly developed materials can be reused to make the overall process economically friendly. In some unwanted incidents, the energy valuable organic liquids are spilled into the water. The developed material will possibly be helpful in recovering those valuable liquids that later can be used for energy purposes. The porous network may offer the loading of the various nanomaterials to enhance the efficiency of the material to get rid of organic contaminants from water. Indeed, the refine cost-effective cleaning of contaminated water is a long-awaited goal to get rid of the hazardous effect of the toxic chemicals in the water. This area of research has high importance for the Kingdome as the KSA is rich in oil and there are more chances of organic compounds slippage into water. The developed materials through this project will remain focused on the removal of the organic pollutants released into water from industries, household activities and during the offshore movement of the chemicals. In the case of accidental spills, the developed material will assist to remove immediately the organic spill from the water and try to minimize their hazardous effect.