A Review of Uv-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes in Wastewater Treatment Systems Publisher



F Mortezazadeh FATEMEH ; Ma Nasab Mahdi AHMADI ; A Javid ALLAHBAKHSH ; F Changani Khorasgani FAZLOLLAH ; Mh Dehghani Mohammad HADI
Source: Desalination and Water Treatment Published:2025

Abstract

The aim of this study is to review and evaluate the application and effectiveness of UV-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in wastewater treatment (WWT) systems, comparing practices in Iran with those globally to identify successful strategies and areas for improvement. This narrative review examined research articles and cross-sectional studies on UV-based AOPs in WWT, focusing on both Iran and global practices. Articles published from 2010 to 2024 were retrieved from ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus using keywords such as wastewater, wastewater treatment, advanced oxidation process, AOP, UV, UV-based, world, globally, and Iran. The review employed EndNote X7 for managing references and identifying duplicates. The review reveals that UV-based AOPs effectively degrade a wide range of wastewater contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and dyes, with removal efficiencies often exceeding 90 %. Key mechanisms involve the generation of hydroxyl and sulfate radicals through UV irradiation and catalytic processes. However, challenges such as high operational costs, potential formation of toxic by-products, and reduced efficiency in high-turbidity waters still persist. Advanced technologies, including LED UV sources and hybrid systems, hold promise for enhancing the performance and sustainability of UV-based AOPs in WWT. UV-based AOPs improve WWT by effectively breaking down contaminants and enhancing water quality. Emerging evidence highlights that cavitation-assisted AOPs—especially hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) integrated with UV, catalysts, and oxidants—demonstrate remarkable synergistic effects, enabling the generation of multiple radical species through various pathways, which significantly accelerates contaminant breakdown while minimizing chemical input and energy demands. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.