ABSTRACT
Industrial wastewaters are generally loaded with contaminants that can be harmful to the environment. When discharged into the environment they can be harmful to the receiving medium, including the soil and freshwater resources. Acid mine water, effluents from chemical industries, and effluents from manufacturing and petrochemical units usually contain organic and inorganic components in various levels of concentration. In some cases they contain acids, bases, and molecules high in chemical and biological oxygen demand. Also, the molecules from some of these effluents may be loaded with surfactants, emulsifiers, and hydrocarbons. Furthermore, within the pharmaceutical and pesticide industries, a new type of molecule has appeared in the effluents. These are known as emerging contaminants. These complex molecules require specific treatment to remove them from the effluents. An effective approach to deal with highly-polluted and toxic industrial wastewater is the application of onsite treatment within the production lines with recycling of treated effluents. Conventional treatment processes are commonly used for the remediation of industrial wastewater. However, they are costly and energy intensive. This chapter reviews various ways to deal with different industrial wastewater and suggests approaches to handle some of the challenges related to industrial wastewaters.
