Mitigation of Heavy Metal Pollutants in Wastewater through Nature-based Solutions

Heavy metal pollution in wastewater poses significant environmental and human health risks worldwide. Conventional treatment methods often prove costly and energy-intensive, prompting the exploration of alternative, sustainable approaches. Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer promising strategies for mitigating heavy metal pollutants by harnessing natural processes and ecosystems. This chapter provides a detailed overview of NBS for heavy metal remediation in wastewater, discussing various techniques such as constructed wetlands, phytoremediation, biofiltration, and microbial processes. It explores the mechanisms underlying these methods, as well as their applications, advantages, and limitations. Additionally, the chapter delves into case studies and emerging research directions to highlight the efficacy and potential of NBS in addressing the complex challenge of heavy metal pollution in wastewater.