Sorption as effective and economical method of waterborne pathogens removal

Abstract Sorption is considered as a highly effective and, importantly, economical process. It is one of the more popular but still promising processes used in the waters treatment from natural and anthropogenic pollutants. Sorption can be divided into chemical or physical and it consists in the retention or adsorption of solid particles, liquids, gases, vapors, or microorganisms (including pathogenic organisms) by diverse materials called sorbents. Among the effective, traditionally used porous materials with a high sorption surface can be mentioned activated carbons, zeolites, fly ashes, metal oxides, or silica; in recent years, to improve their effectiveness, they are often subjected to surface modifications. The growing demand for efficient, cheap, and effective sorbents used to remove specific micropollutants, especially pathogens, means that the properties of new raw materials, such as polymeric or hybrid materials, nanomaterials, agricultural waste, and biosorbents, are also verified.