The worldwide development of agriculture and industry has resulted in contamination of water bodies by pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other xenobiotics. Even at trace levels of few micrograms per liter in waters, these contaminants induce public health and environmental issues, thus calling for efficient removal methods such as adsorption. Recent adsorption techniques for wastewater treatment involve metal oxide compounds, e.g. Fe2O3, ZnO, Al2O3 and ZnO-MgO, and carbon-based materials such as graphene oxide, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, and carbon/graphene quantum dots. Here, the small size of metal oxides and the presence various functional groups has allowed higher adsorption efficiencies. Moreover, carbon-based adsorbents exhibit unique properties such as high surface area, high porosity, easy functionalization, low price, and high surface reactivity. Here we review the cytotoxic effects of pharmaceutical drugs and pesticides in terms of human risk and ecotoxicology. We also present remediation techniques involving adsorption on metal oxides and carbon-based materials.

Aix Marseille University CNRS IRD INRA Coll France CEREGE 13100 Aix en Provence France

Center for Micro BioRobotics Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Viale R Piaggio 34 56025 Pontedera Pisa Italy

Chemical Methods and Treatment Branch Water Infrastructure Division Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response U S Environmental Protection Agency 26 West Martin Luther King Drive Cincinnati OH 45268 USA; Regional Center of Advanced Technologies and Materials Department of Physical Chemistry Faculty of Science Palacky University Š lechtitelů 27 783 71 Olomouc Czech Republic

College of Materials Science and Engineering Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials Nanshan District Key Lab for Biopolymers and Safety Evaluation Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518055 PR China; International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability Shoolini University Solan 173212 Himachal Pradesh India

Department of Chemistry The University of Lahore Lahore 54590 Pakistan

Faculty of Chemistry University of Mazandaran Babolsar 47416 95447 Iran

Institute of Research and Development Duy Tan University Da Nang 550000 Viet Nam; Faculty of Environment and Chemical Engineering Duy Tan University Da Nang 550000 Viet Nam; Department of Chemical Engineering School of Mining Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering University of Johannesburg P O Box 17011 Doornfontein 2028 South Africa

School of Chemistry Damghan University Damghan 36716 41167 Iran

School of Engineering University of British Columbia Kelowna BC V1V 1V7 Canada

See more in PubMed

Abbas RF, Hami HK, Mahdi NI, 2019. Removal of doxycycline hyclate by adsorption onto cobalt oxide at three different temperatures: isotherm, thermodynamic and error analysis. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol 16, 5439–5446.

Abdelillah Ali Elhussein E, Şahin S, Bayazit ŞS, 2018. Preparation of CeO2 nanofibers derived from Ce-BTC metal-organic frameworks and its application on pesticide adsorption. J. Mol. Liq 255, 10–17.

Abo El Naga AO, El Saied M, Shaban SA, El Kady FY, 2019. Fast removal of diclofenac sodium from aqueous solution using sugar cane bagasse-derived activated carbon. J. Mol. Liq 285, 9–19.

Agarwal S, Sadeghi N, Tyagi I, Gupta VK, Fakhri A, 2016. Adsorption of toxic carbamate pesticide oxamyl from liquid phase by newly synthesized and characterized graphene quantum dots nanomaterials. J. Colloid Interface Sci 478, 430–438. PubMed

Aguinaga Martínez MV, Llamas NE, Ávila Orozco FD, Domini CE, Acebal CC, 2020. Oxidized carbon nanotubes as sorbent for miniaturized solid-phase extraction of progestins from environmental water samples prior to their determination by HPLC-UV. Microchim. Acta 187, 153. PubMed

Ahmad J, Naeem S, Ahmad M, Usman ARA, Al-Wabel MI, 2019. A critical review on organic micropollutants contamination in wastewater and removal through carbon nanotubes. J. Environ. Manag 246, 214–228. PubMed

Ahmad KS, 2019. Adsorption evaluation of herbicide iodosulfuron followed by cedrus deodora sawdust-derived activated carbon removal. Soil Sediment Contam. An Int. J 28, 65–80.

Ahmad T, Rafatullah M, Ghazali A, Sulaiman O, Hashim R, Ahmad A, 2010. Removal of pesticides from water and wastewater by different adsorbents: a review. J. Environ. Sci. Heal. Part C 28, 231–271. PubMed

Ahmadijokani F, Ahmadipouya S, Molavi H, Rezakazemi M, Aminabhavi TM, Arjmand M, 2020a. Impact of scale, activation solvents, and aged conditions on gas adsorption properties of UiO-66. J. Environ. Manag 274, 111155. PubMed

Ahmadijokani F, Mohammadkhani R, Ahmadipouya S, Shokrgozar A, Rezakazem M, Molavi H, Aminabhavi TM, Arjmand M, 2020b. Superior chemical stability of UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for selective dye adsorption. Chem. Eng. J 125346.

Ahmadijokani F, Tajahmadi S, Bahi A, Molavi H, Rezakazemi M, Ko F, Aminabhavi TM, Arjmand M, 2020c. Ethylenediamine-functionalized Zr-based MOF for efficient removal of heavy metal ions from water. Chemosphere 128466. PubMed

Ahmed MB, Zhou JL, Ngo HH, Guo W, Thomaidis NS, Xu J, 2017. Progress in the biological and chemical treatment technologies for emerging contaminant removal from wastewater: a critical review. J. Hazard Mater 323, 274–298. PubMed

Ahmed MJ, 2017. Adsorption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from aqueous solution using activated carbons: Review. J. Environ. Manag 190, 274–282. PubMed

Ahmed MJ, Hameed BH, 2019. Insights into the isotherm and kinetic models for the coadsorption of pharmaceuticals in the absence and presence of metal ions: a review. J. Environ. Manag 252, 109617. PubMed

Ai Y, Liu Y, Huo Y, Zhao C, Sun L, Han B, Cao X, Wang X, 2019. Insights into the adsorption mechanism and dynamic behavior of tetracycline antibiotics on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and graphene oxide (GO) materials. Environ. Sci. Nano 6, 3336–3348.

Akhond M, Absalan G, Rafatmah E, 2016. Studying the adsorption process of riboflavin on silver-deposited Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. Res 3, 225–237.

Al-Gubory KH, 2014. Environmental pollutants and lifestyle factors induce oxidative stress and poor prenatal development. Reprod. Biomed. Online 29, 17–31. PubMed

Al-Jabari MH, Sulaiman S, Ali S, Barakat R, Mubarak A, Khan SA, 2019. Adsorption study of levofloxacin on reusable magnetic nanoparticles: kinetics and antibacterial activity. J. Mol. Liq 291, 111249.

Al-Shaalan NH, Ali I, ALOthman ZA, Al-Wahaibi LH, Alabdulmonem H, 2019. High performance removal and simulation studies of diuron pesticide in water on MWCNTs. J. Mol. Liq 289, 111039.

Alahabadi A, Hosseini-Bandegharaei A, Moussavi G, Amin B, Rastegar A, Karimi-Sani H, Fattahi M, Miri M, 2017. Comparing adsorption properties of NH4Cl-modified activated carbon towards chlortetracycline antibiotic with those of commercial activated carbon. J. Mol. Liq 232, 367–381.

Ali I, Alharbi OML, ALOthman ZA, Al-Mohaimeed AM, Alwarthan A, 2019a. Modeling of fenuron pesticide adsorption on CNTs for mechanistic insight and removal in water. Environ. Res 170, 389–397. PubMed

Ali I, Alharbi OML, Tkachev A, Galunin E, Burakov A, Grachev VA, 2018. Water treatment by new-generation graphene materials: hope for bright future. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 25, 7315–7329. PubMed

Ali I, Basheer AA, Mbianda XY, Burakov A, Galunin E, Burakova I, Mkrtchyan E, Tkachev A, Grachev V, 2019b. Graphene based adsorbents for remediation of noxious pollutants from wastewater. Environ. Int 127, 160–180. PubMed

ALOthman ZA, Badjah AY, Ali I, 2019. Facile synthesis and characterization of multi walled carbon nanotubes for fast and effective removal of 4-tert-octylphenol endocrine disruptor in water. J. Mol. Liq 275, 41–48.

de Alves AAA, da Luz, D. A, Tones, A. R Nonato M, T. CM, L. G, Ruiz de O., Sens ML, 2018. Removal of carbamate insecticides from drinking water through a fixed bed column of granular activated carbon: a thermodynamic, kinetic and equilibrium study of multicomponent adsorption. Desalin. Water Treat 108, 171–182.

Amiri MJ, Roohi R, Arshadi M, Abbaspourrad A, 2020. 2,4-D adsorption from agricultural subsurface drainage by canola stalk-derived activated carbon: insight into the adsorption kinetics models under batch and column conditions. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 27, 16983–16997. PubMed

Anand KV, Subala AS, Sumathi KS, Merin SAL, 2020. A review on the removal of dye, pesticide and pathogens from waste water using quantum dots. Eur. J. Adv. Chem. Res 1, 1–6.

Angın D, Güneş S, 2020. The usage of orange pulp activated carbon in the adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid from aqueous solutions. Int. J. Phytoremediation 1–9. PubMed

aus der Beek T, Weber F, Bergmann A, Hickmann S, Ebert I, Hein A, Küster A, 2016. Pharmaceuticals in the environment—global occurrences and perspectives. Environ. Toxicol. Chem 35, 823–835. PubMed

Aydin S, Aydin ME, Beduk F, Ulvi A, 2019. Removal of antibiotics from aqueous solution by using magnetic Fe3O4/red mud-nanoparticles. Sci. Total Environ 670, 539–546. PubMed

Bagbi Y, Sarswat A, Mohan D, Pandey A, Solanki PR, 2017. Lead and chromium adsorption from water using L-cysteine functionalized magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. Sci. Rep 7, 7672. PubMed PMC

Bahrami M, Amiri MJ, Beigzadeh B, 2018. Adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid using rice husk biochar, granular activated carbon, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a fixed bed column system. Water Sci. Technol 78, 1812–1821. PubMed

Balasubramani K, Sivarajasekar N, Naushad M, 2020. Effective adsorption of antidiabetic pharmaceutical (metformin) from aqueous medium using graphene oxide nanoparticles: equilibrium and statistical modelling. J. Mol. Liq 301, 112426.

Banerjee BD, Seth V, Ahmed RS, 2001. Pesticide-induced oxidative stress: perspective and trends. Rev. Environ. Health 16, 1–40. PubMed

Batzill M, 2011. Fundamental aspects of surface engineering of transition metal oxide photocatalysts. Energy Environ. Sci 4, 3275–3286.

Bayat M, Alighardashi A, Sadeghasadi A, 2018. Fixed-bed column and batch reactors performance in removal of diazinon pesticide from aqueous solutions by using walnut shell-modified activated carbon. Environ. Technol. Innov 12, 148–159.

Bedia J, Belver C, Ponce S, Rodriguez J, Rodriguez JJ, 2018. Adsorption of antipyrine by activated carbons from FeCl3-activation of Tara gum. Chem. Eng. J 333, 58–65.

Benzigar MR, Talapaneni SN, Joseph S, Ramadass K, Singh G, Scaranto J, Ravon U, Al-Bahily K, Vinu A, 2018. Recent advances in functionalized micro and mesoporous carbon materials: synthesis and applications. Chem. Soc. Rev 47, 2680–2721. PubMed

Bernal V, Giraldo L, Moreno-Piraján JC, 2020a. Thermodynamic study of triclosan adsorption from aqueous solutions on activated carbon. J. Therm. Anal. Calorim 139, 913–921.

Bernal V, Giraldo L, Moreno-Piraján JC, 2020b. Insight into adsorbate–adsorbent interactions between aromatic pharmaceutical compounds and activated carbon: equilibrium isotherms and thermodynamic analysis. Adsorption 26, 153–163.

Bernal V, Giraldo L, Moreno-Piraján JC, 2020c. Thermodynamic analysis of acetaminophen and salicylic acid adsorption onto granular activated carbon: importance of chemical surface and effect of ionic strength. Thermochim. Acta 683, 178467.

Bhateria R, Singh R, 2019. A review on nanotechnological application of magnetic iron oxides for heavy metal removal. J. Water Process Eng 31, 100845.

Bhatnagar A, Hogland W, Marques M, Sillanpää M, 2013. An overview of the modification methods of activated carbon for its water treatment applications. Chem. Eng. J 219, 499–511.

Bhattacharyya S, Das P, Datta S, 2019. In: Ghosh SK (Ed.), Removal of Ranitidine from Pharmaceutical Waste Water Using Activated Carbon (AC) Prepared from Waste Lemon Peel BT - Waste Water Recycling and Management. Springer; Singapore, Singapore, pp. 123–141.

Bi Z, Kong Q, Cao Y, Sun G, Su F, Wei X, Li X, Ahmad A, Xie L, Chen CM, 2019. Biomass-derived porous carbon materials with different dimensions for supercapacitor electrodes: a review. J. Mater. Chem 7, 16028–16045.

Bianchi E, Lessing G, Brina KR, Angeli L, Andriguetti NB, Peruzzo JRS, do Nascimento CA, Spilki FR, Ziulkoski AL, da Silva LB, 2017. Monitoring the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential and the presence of pesticides and hydrocarbons in water of the Sinos River basin, southern Brazil. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol 72, 321–334. PubMed

Boxall ABA, Rudd MA, Brooks BW, Caldwell DJ, Choi K, Hickmann S, Innes E, Ostapyk K, Staveley JP, Verslycke T, 2012. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment: what are the big questions? Environ. Health Perspect 120, 1221–1229. PubMed PMC

Brito GM, Roldi LL, Schetino MÂ, Checon Freitas JC, Cabral Coelho ER, 2020. High-performance of activated biocarbon based on agricultural biomass waste applied for 2,4-D herbicide removing from water: adsorption, kinetic and thermodynamic assessments. J. Environ. Sci. Heal. Part B 55, 767–782. PubMed

Cai W, Weng X, Chen Z, 2019. Highly efficient removal of antibiotic rifampicin from aqueous solution using green synthesis of recyclable nano-Fe3O4. Environ. Pollut 247, 839–846. PubMed

Çalışkan Salihi E, Wang J, Kabacaoğlu G, Kırkulak S, Šiller L, 2020. Graphene oxide as a new generation adsorbent for the removal of antibiotics from waters. Separ. Sci. Technol 1–9.

Carboneras MB, Villaseñor J, Fernández-Morales FJ, Rodrigo MA, Cañizares P, 2018. Biological treatment of wastewater polluted with an oxyfluorfen-based commercial herbicide. Chemosphere 213, 244–251. PubMed

Carrales-Alvarado DH, Leyva-Ramos R, Rodríguez-Ramos I, Mendoza-Mendoza E, Moral-Rodríguez AE, 2020. Adsorption capacity of different types of carbon nanotubes towards metronidazole and dimetridazole antibiotics from aqueous solutions: effect of morphology and surface chemistry. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 27, 17123–17137. PubMed

Cheng W, Kalahroodi EL, Marsac R, Hanna K, 2019. Adsorption of quinolone antibiotics to goethite under seawater conditions: application of a surface complexation model. Environ. Sci. Technol 53, 1130–1138. PubMed

Chowdhury S, Pan S, Balasubramanian R, Das P, 2019. Date Palm Based Activated Carbon for the Efficient Removal of Organic Dyes from Aqueous Environment BT - Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 34: Date Palm for Food, Medicine and the Environment, pp. 247–263.

Chu HW, Unnikrishnan B, Anand A, Lin YW, Huang CC, 2020. Carbon quantum dots for the detection of antibiotics and pesticides. J. Food Drug Anal 28, 539–557. PubMed PMC

Ciğeroğlu Z, Özdemir OK, Şahin S, Haşimoğlu A, 2020. Naproxen adsorption onto graphene oxide nanopowders: equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies. Water, Air, Soil Pollut 231, 101.

Cimirro NFGM, Lima EC, Cunha MR, Dias SLP, Thue PS, Mazzocato AC, Dotto GL, Gelesky MA, Pavan FA, 2020. Removal of pharmaceutical compounds from aqueous solution by novel activated carbon synthesized from lovegrass (Poaceae). Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 27, 21442–21454. PubMed

Crini G, Lichtfouse E, Wilson LD, Morin-Crini N, 2018. Adsorption-Oriented Processes Using Conventional and Non-conventional Adsorbents for Waste-water Treatment, vol. 18, pp. 23–71.

Cunha DL, Mendes MP, Marques M, 2019. Environmental risk assessment of psychoactive drugs in the aquatic environment. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 26, 78–90. PubMed

Dąbrowski A, 2001. Adsorption—from theory to practice. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci 93, 135–224. PubMed

Danish M, Ahmad T, 2018. A review on utilization of wood biomass as a sustainable precursor for activated carbon production and application. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev 87, 1–21.

Das R, Leo BF, Murphy F, 2018. The toxic truth about carbon nanotubes in water purification: a perspective view. Nanoscale Res. Lett 13, 1–10. PubMed PMC

D’Cruz B, Madkour M, Amin MO, Al-Hetlani E, 2020. Efficient and recoverable magnetic AC-Fe3O4 nanocomposite for rapid removal of promazine from wastewater. Mater. Chem. Phys 240, 122109.

de Camargo Lima Beluci N, Tonial dos Santos TR, Marcuzzo JS, Bergamasco R, 2021. Facile filtration system to remove Diuron in aqueous solutions. J. Hazard Mater 404, 124163. PubMed

de Franco MAE, de Carvalho CB, Bonetto MM, de Pelegrini Soares R, Féris LA, 2018. Diclofenac removal from water by adsorption using activated carbon in batch mode and fixed-bed column: isotherms, thermodynamic study and breakthrough curves modeling. J. Clean. Prod 181, 145–154.

De Groot MJ, 2006. Designing better drugs: predicting cytochrome P450 metabolism. Drug Discov. Today 11, 601–606. PubMed

de Souza Antônio R, Guerra ACS, de Andrade MB, Nishi L, Baptista ATA, Bergamasco R, Vieira AMS, 2021. Application of graphene nanosheet oxide for atrazine adsorption in aqueous solution: synthesis, material characterization, and comprehension of the adsorption mechanism. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 28, 5731–5741. PubMed

de Souza RB, Moreira-de-Sousa C, Ansoar-Rodríguez Y, Coelho MPM, de Souza CP, Bueno OC, Fontanetti CS, 2019. Histopatology and HSP70 analysis of the midgut of Rhinocricus padbergi (Diplopoda) in the evaluation of the toxicity of two new metallic-insecticides. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 27, 3023–3033. PubMed

Dehaghi SM, Rahmanifar B, Moradi AM, Azar PA, 2014. Removal of permethrin pesticide from water by chitosan–zinc oxide nanoparticles composite as an adsorbent. J. Saudi Chem. Soc 18, 348–355.

Dehghani MH, Kamalian S, Shayeghi M, Yousefi M, Heidarinejad Z, Agarwal S, Gupta VK, 2019. High-performance removal of diazinon pesticide from water using multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Microchem. J 145, 486–491.

Dehghani MH, Niasar ZS, Mehrnia MR, Shayeghi M, Al-Ghouti MA, Heibati B, McKay G, Yetilmezsoy K, 2017. Optimizing the removal of organophosphorus pesticide malathion from water using multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Chem. Eng. J 310, 22–32.

del Mar Orta M, Martín J, Medina-Carrasco S, Santos JL, Aparicio I, Alonso E, 2019. Adsorption of propranolol onto montmorillonite: kinetic, isotherm and pH studies. Appl. Clay Sci 173, 107–114.

Del Vecchio P, Haro NK, Souza FS, Marcílio NR, Féris LA, 2019. Ampicillin removal by adsorption onto activated carbon: kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics. Water Sci. Technol 79, 2013–2021. PubMed

Deokar SK, Bajad GS, Bhonde P, Vijayakumar RP, Mandavgane SA, 2017. Adsorptive removal of diuron herbicide on carbon nanotubes synthesized from plastic waste. J. Polym. Environ 25, 165–175.

Derylo-Marczewska A, Blachnio M, Marczewski AW, Swiatkowski A, Buczek B, 2017. Adsorption of chlorophenoxy pesticides on activated carbon with gradually removed external particle layers. Chem. Eng. J 308, 408–418.

Dhiman N, Sharma N, 2019a. Batch adsorption studies on the removal of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride from aqueous solution using ZnO nanoparticles and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell powder: a comparison. Indian Chem. Eng 61, 67–76.

Dhiman N, Sharma N, 2019b. Removal of pharmaceutical drugs from binary mixtures by use of ZnO nanoparticles: (Competitive adsorption of drugs). Environ. Technol. Innov 15, 100392.

Djurišić AB, Leung YH, Ng AMC, Xu XY, Lee PKH, Degger N, Wu RSS, 2015. Toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles: mechanisms, characterization, and avoiding experimental artefacts. Small 11, 26–44. PubMed

Dubinin MM, Radushkevich LV, 1947. Equation of the characteristic curve of activated charcoal proceedings of the academy of sciences. Phys. Chem. Sect. USSR 55, 331–333.

Ellenbecker M, Tsai SJ, Jacobs M, Riediker M, Peters T, Liou S, Avila A, FossHansen S, 2018. The difficulties in establishing an occupational exposure limit for carbon nanotubes. J. Nanoparticle Res 20, 1–12.

Erdem H, Yildiz B, Şahin M, Erdem M, 2020. Etodolac adsorption onto activated carbon prepared by chemical activation and pyrolysis of biomasses mixture. Biomass Convers. Biorefinery 10, 1153–1165.

Ersan G, Apul OG, Perreault F, Karanfil T, 2017. Adsorption of organic contaminants by graphene nanosheets: a review. Water Res. 126, 385–398. PubMed

Facure MHM, Schneider R, Mercante LA, Correa DS, 2020. A review on graphene quantum dots and their nanocomposites: from laboratory synthesis towards agricultural and environmental applications. Environ. Sci. Nano 7, 3710–3734.

Fakhri A, Behrouz S, 2015. Comparison studies of adsorption properties of MgO nanoparticles and ZnO−MgO nanocomposites for linezolid antibiotic removal from aqueous solution using response surface methodology. Process Saf. Environ. Protect 94, 37–43.

Falahian Z, Torki F, Faghihian H, 2018. Synthesis and application of polypyrrole/Fe3O4 nanosize magnetic adsorbent for efficient separation of Hg2+ from aqueous solution. Glob. Challenges 2, 1700078. PubMed PMC

Fallah Z, Nasr Isfahani H, Tajbakhsh M, 2020. Removal of fluoride ion from aqueous solutions by titania-grafted β-cyclodextrin nanocomposite. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 27, 3281–3294. PubMed

Fallah Z, Nasr Isfahani H, Tajbakhsh M, 2019. Cyclodextrin-triazole-titanium based nanocomposite: preparation, characterization and adsorption behavior investigation. Process Saf. Environ. Protect 124, 251–265.

Fallah Z, Nasr Isfahani H, Tajbakhsh M, Tashakkorian H, Amouei A, 2018. TiO2-grafted cellulose via click reaction: an efficient heavy metal ions bioadsorbent from aqueous solutions. Cellulose 25, 639–660.

Freundlich H, 1906. Uber die adsorption in losungen. Z. Phys. Chem 57U, 385–470.

Gan Q, Zhang T, Chen R, Wang X, Ye M, 2019. Simple, low-dose, durable, and carbon-nanotube-based floating solar still for efficient desalination and purification. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng 7, 3925–3932.

Gao N, Yan Y, 2012. Characterisation of surface wettability based on nanoparticles. Nanoscale 4, 2202–2218. PubMed

Gar Alalm M, Nasr M, 2018. Artificial intelligence, regression model, and cost estimation for removal of chlorothalonil pesticide by activated carbon prepared from casuarina charcoal. Sustain. Environ. Res 28, 101–110.

Geczo A, Giannakoudakis DA, Triantafyllidis K, Elshaer MR, Rodríguez-Aguado E, Bashkova S, 2020. Mechanistic insights into acetaminophen removal on cashew nut shell biomass-derived activated carbons. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 10.1007/s11356-019-07562-0. PubMed DOI

Gil A, Santamaría L, Korili SA, 2018. Removal of caffeine and diclofenac from aqueous solution by adsorption on multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Colloid Interface Sci. Commun 22, 25–28.

Goli A, Alinezhad H, Ganji MD, 2020. Theoretical insights into the performance of graphene derivatives, h-BN and BNC heterostructures in the adsorption and elimination of atrazine: an all-electron DFT study. Diam. Relat. Mater 108, 107967.

Goswami L, Manikandan NA, Dolman B, Pakshirajan K, Pugazhenthi G, 2018. Biological treatment of wastewater containing a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using the oleaginous bacterium Rhodococcus opacus. J. Clean. Prod 196, 1282–1291.

Grabarczyk Ł, Mulkiewicz E, Stolte S, Puckowski A, Pazda M, Stepnowski P, Białk-Bielińska A, 2020. Ecotoxicity screening evaluation of selected pharmaceuticals and their transformation products towards various organisms. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int 27, 26103–26114. PubMed PMC

Grant GA, Fisher PR, Barrett JE, Wilson PC, 2019. Removal of agrichemicals from water using granular activated carbon filtration. Water, Air, Soil Pollut 230, 7.

Grant GA, Fisher PR, Barrett JE, Wilson PC, 2018. Removal of paclobutrazol from irrigation water using granular-activated carbon. Irrigat. Sci 36, 159–166.

Gray JW, Burns CJ, Mahlburg WM, 2013. Increased cancer burden among pesticide applicators and others due to pesticide exposure. Ca - Cancer J. Clin 63, 364–366. PubMed

Green RM, Hodges NJ, Chipman JK, O’Donovan MR, Graham M, 2008. Reactive oxygen species from the uncoupling of human cytochrome P450 1B1 may contribute to the carcinogenicity of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. Mutagenesis 23, 457–463. PubMed

Guerra ACS, de Andrade MB, Tonial dos Santos TR, Bergamasco R, 2019. Adsorption of sodium diclofenac in aqueous medium using graphene oxide nanosheets. Environ. Technol 1–11. PubMed

Guo Y, Tan C, Sun J, Li W, Zhang J, Zhao C, 2020. Porous activated carbons derived from waste sugarcane bagasse for CO2 adsorption. Chem. Eng. J 381, 122736.

Gupta AK, Naregalkar RR, Vaidya VD, Gupta M, 2007. Recent Advances on Surface Engineering of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Biomedical Applications,, 1st2. Future Medicine, pp. 23–39. PubMed

Gusain R, Gupta K, Joshi P, Khatri OP, 2019. Adsorptive removal and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using metal oxides and their composites: a comprehensive review. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci 272, 102009. PubMed

Gusain R, Kumar N, Ray SS, 2020. Recent advances in carbon nanomaterial-based adsorbents for water purification. Coord. Chem. Rev 405, 213111.

Hallenbeck WH, Cunningham-Burns KM, 2012. Pesticides and Human Health, first ed. Springer Science & Business Media.

Han X, Meng L, Li Y, Li A, Turyk ME, Yang R, Wang P, Xiao K, Zhao J, Zhang J, 2020. Associations between the exposure to persistent organic pollutants and type 2 diabetes in East China: a case-control study. Chemosphere 241, 125030. PubMed

Haro NK, Del Vecchio P, Marcilio NR, Féris LA, 2017. Removal of atenolol by adsorption – study of kinetics and equilibrium. J. Clean. Prod 154, 214–219.

Hartz KEH, Nutile SA, Fung CY, Sinche FL, Moran PW, Van Metre PC, Nowell LH, Lydy MJ, 2019. Survey of bioaccessible pyrethroid insecticides and sediment toxicity in urban streams of the northeast United States. Environ. Pollut 254, 112931. PubMed

Hasanzadeh V, Rahmanian O, Heidari M, 2020. Cefixime adsorption onto activated carbon prepared by dry thermochemical activation of date fruit residues. Microchem. J 152, 104261.

Hashemi MS, Gharbi S, Jafarinejad-Farsangi S, Ansari-Asl Z, Dezfuli AS, 2020. Secondary toxic effect of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots alters the expression of miR-21 and miR-29a in human cell lines. Toxicol. Vitro 65, 104796. PubMed

Heller DA, Jena PV, Pasquali M, Kostarelos K, Delogu LG, Meidl RE, Rotkin SV, Scheinberg DA, Schwartz RE, Terrones M, 2020. Banning carbon nanotubes would be scientifically unjustified and damaging to innovation. Nat. Nanotechnol 15, 164–166. PubMed PMC

Hgeig A, Novaković M, Mihajlović I, 2019. Sorption of carbendazim and linuron from aqueous solutions with activated carbon produced from spent coffee grounds: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic approach. J. Environ. Sci. Heal. Part B 54, 226–236. PubMed

Ho YS, 2006. Review of second-order models for adsorption systems. J. Hazard Mater 136, 681–689. PubMed

Ho YS, 2004. Citation review of Lagergren kinetic rate equation on adsorption reactions. Scientometrics 59, 171–177.

Ho YS, McKay G, 1999. Pseudo-second order model for sorption processes. Process Biochem. 34, 451–465.

Hu C, Lin Y, Connell JW, Cheng HM, Gogotsi Y, Titirici MM, Dai L, 2019. Carbon-based metal-free catalysts for energy storage and environmental remediation. Adv. Mater 31, 1806128. PubMed

Hubetska T, Kobylinska N, García JR, 2020. Efficient adsorption of pharmaceutical drugs from aqueous solution using a mesoporous activated carbon. Adsorption 26, 251–266.

Hue HK, Anh LV, Thiep T. Van, 2018. Study of the adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from the aqueous solution onto carbon nanotubes. Vietnam J. Chem 56, 191–196.

Iijima S, 1991. Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon. Nature 354, 56–58.

Iravani S, Varma RS, 2020. Green synthesis, biomedical and biotechnological applications of carbon and graphene quantum dots. A review. Environ. Chem. Lett 18, 703–727. PubMed PMC

Ismail NH, Salleh WNW, Ismail AF, Hasbullah H, Yusof N, Aziz F, Jaafar J, 2020. Hydrophilic polymer-based membrane for oily wastewater treatment: a review. Separ. Purif. Technol 233, 116007.

Jaladanki CK, Gahlawat A, Rathod G, Sandhu H, Jahan K, Bharatam PV, 2020. Mechanistic studies on the drug metabolism and toxicity originating from cytochromes P450. Drug Metab. Rev 52, 366–394. PubMed

Johnson AC, Jürgens MD, Williams RJ, Kümmerer K, Kortenkamp A, Sumpter JP, 2008. Do cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs discharged into rivers pose a risk to the environment and human health? An overview and UK case study. J. Hydrol 348, 167–175.

Jung C, Son A, Her N, Zoh KD, Cho J, Yoon Y, 2015. Removal of endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in water using carbon nanotubes: a review. J. Ind. Eng. Chem 27, 1–11.

Kalumpha M, Guyo U, Zinyama NP, Vakira FM, Nyamunda BC, 2020. Adsorptive potential of Zea mays tassel activated carbon towards the removal of metformin hydrochloride from pharmaceutical effluent. Int. J. Phytoremediation 22, 148–156. PubMed

Kasperiski FM, Lima EC, Umpierres CS, dos Reis GS, Thue PS, Lima DR, Dias SLP, Saucier C, da Costa JB, 2018. Production of porous activated carbons from Caesalpinia ferrea seed pod wastes: highly efficient removal of captopril from aqueous solutions. J. Clean. Prod 197, 919–929.

Kaur H, Bansiwal A, Hippargi G, Pophali GR, 2018. Effect of hydrophobicity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products for adsorption on activated carbon: adsorption isotherms, kinetics and mechanism. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 25, 20473–20485. PubMed

Kaur Y, Bhatia Y, Chaudhary S, Chaudhary GR, 2017. Comparative performance of bare and functionalize ZnO nanoadsorbents for pesticide removal from aqueous solution. J. Mol. Liq 234, 94–103.

Khalil AME, Memon FA, Tabish TA, Salmon D, Zhang S, Butler D, 2020. Nanostructured porous graphene for efficient removal of emerging contaminants (pharmaceuticals) from water. Chem. Eng. J 398, 125440.

Khan AR, Ataullah R, Al-Haddad A, 1997. Equilibrium adsorption studies of some aromatic pollutants from dilute aqueous solutions on activated carbon at different temperatures. J. Colloid Interface Sci 194, 154–165. PubMed

Khoshnam F, Zargar B, Moghadam MR, 2019. Adsorption and removal of ametryn using graphene oxide nano-sheets from farm waste water and optimization using response surface methodology. J. Iran. Chem. Soc 16, 1383–1390.

Kim S, Park CM, Jang M, Son A, Her N, Yu M, Snyder S, Kim DH, Yoon Y, 2018. Aqueous removal of inorganic and organic contaminants by graphene-based nanoadsorbents: a review. Chemosphere 212, 1104–1124. PubMed

Kıdak R, Doğan Ş, 2018. Medium-high frequency ultrasound and ozone based advanced oxidation for amoxicillin removal in water. Ultrason. Sonochem 40, 131–139. PubMed

Kobayashi N, Izumi H, Morimoto Y, 2017. Review of toxicity studies of carbon nanotubes. J. Occup. Health 59, 394–407. PubMed PMC

Koe WS, Chong WC, Pang YL, Koo CH, Ebrahim M, Mohammad AW, 2020. Novel nitrogen and sulphur co-doped carbon quantum dots/titanium oxide photocatalytic membrane for in-situ degradation and removal of pharmaceutical compound. J. Water Process Eng 33, 101068.

Kong Q, He X, Shu L, Miao M, 2017. Ofloxacin adsorption by activated carbon derived from luffa sponge: kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic analyses. Process Saf. Environ. Protect 112, 254–264.

Koutník I, Vráblová M, Bednárek J, 2020. Reynoutria japonica, an invasive herb as a source of activated carbon for the removal of xenobiotics from water. Bioresour. Technol 309, 123315. PubMed

Kretschmer XC, Baldwin WS, 2005. CAR and PXR: xenosensors of endocrine disrupters? Chem. Biol. Interact 155, 111–128. PubMed

Kudzinski V, Wojciechowski BW, 1977. On the Jovanovic model of adsorption I. An extension for mobile adsorbed layers. Colloid Polym. Sci 255, 869–880.

Kümmerer K, 2008. Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: Sources, Fate, Effects and Risks. Springer Science & Business Media.

Lalović B, Ðurkić T, Vukčević M, Janković-Častvan I, Kalijadis A, Laušević Z, Laušević M, 2017. Solid-phase extraction of multi-class pharmaceuticals from environmental water samples onto modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes followed by LC-MS/MS. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 24, 20784–20793. PubMed

Länge R, Dietrich D, 2002. Environmental risk assessment of pharmaceutical drug substances—conceptual considerations. Toxicol. Lett 131, 97–104. PubMed

Langmuir I, 1917. The constitution and fundamental properties of solids and liquids. II. LIQUIDS.1. J. Am. Chem. Soc 39, 1848–1906.

Langmuir I, 1916. The constitution and fundamental properties of solids and liquids. Part I. Solids. J. Am. Chem. Soc 38, 2221–2295.

Larsson DGJ, 2014. Pollution from drug manufacturing: review and perspectives. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci 369, 20130571. PubMed PMC

Lawal IA, Lawal MM, Akpotu SO, Okoro HK, Klink M, Ndungu P, 2020. Noncovalent graphene oxide functionalized with ionic liquid: theoretical, isotherm, kinetics, and regeneration studies on the adsorption of pharmaceuticals. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res 59, 4945–4957.

Lazarević-Pašti T, Anićijević V, Baljozović M, Anićijević DV, Gutić S, Vasić V, Skorodumova NV, Pašti IA, 2018. The impact of the structure of graphene-based materials on the removal of organophosphorus pesticides from water. Environ. Sci. Nano 5, 1482–1494.

Lee DH, Porta M, Jacobs DR Jr., Vandenberg LN, 2014. Chlorinated persistent organic pollutants, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Endocr. Rev 35, 557–601. PubMed PMC

Lee H, Anwer H, Park JW, 2020. Graphene quantum dots on stainless-steel nanotubes for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of phenanthrene under visible light. Chemosphere 246, 125761. PubMed

Li M, Chen T, Gooding JJ, Liu J, 2019a. Review of carbon and graphene quantum dots for sensing. ACS Sens. 4, 1732–1748. PubMed

Li M, Liu J, Xu Y, Qian G, 2016. Phosphate adsorption on metal oxides and metal hydroxides: a comparative review. Environ. Rev 24, 319–332.

Li Z, Wang L, Li Y, Feng Y, Feng W, 2019b. Carbon-based functional nano-materials: preparation, properties and applications. Compos. Sci. Technol 179, 10–40.

Liang X, Fan J, Liang D, Xu Y, Zhi Y, Hu H, Qiu X, 2021. Surface hydroxyl groups functionalized graphite carbon nitride for high efficient removal of diquat dibromide from water. J. Colloid Interface Sci 582, 70–80. PubMed

Lima DR, Hosseini-Bandegharaei A, Thue PS, Lima EC, de Albuquerque YRT, dos Reis GS, Umpierres CS, Dias SLP, Tran HN, 2019. Efficient acetaminophen removal from water and hospital effluents treatment by activated carbons derived from Brazil nutshells. Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem. Eng. Asp 583, 123966.

Lin J, Su B, Sun M, Chen B, Chen Z, 2018. Biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles used for optimized removal of cadmium with response surface methodology. Sci. Total Environ 627, 314–321. PubMed

Liu Y, Peng Y, An B, Li L, Liu Y, 2020. Effect of molecular structure on the adsorption affinity of sulfonamides onto CNTs: batch experiments and DFT calculations. Chemosphere 246, 125778. PubMed

Lu X, Zhu Y, Bai R, Wu Z, Qian W, Yang L, Cai R, Yan H, Li T, Pandey V, 2019. Long-term pulmonary exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes promotes breast cancer metastatic cascades. Nat. Nanotechnol 14, 719–727. PubMed

Ma P, Liu Q, Liu P, Li H, Han X, Liu L, Zou W, 2020. Green synthesis of Fe/Cu oxides composite particles stabilized by pine needle extract and investigation of their adsorption activity for norfloxacin and ofloxacin. J. Dispersion Sci. Technol 1–18.

Macías-García A, García-Sanz-Calcedo J, Carrasco-Amador JP, Segura-Cruz R, 2019. Adsorption of paracetamol in hospital wastewater through activated carbon filters. Sustainability 11, 2672.

Mahmoud AM, Ibrahim FA, Shaban SA, Youssef NA, 2015. Adsorption of heavy metal ion from aqueous solution by nickel oxide nano catalyst prepared by different methods. Egypt. J. Petrol 24, 27–35.

Makvandi P, Wang C, Zare EN, Borzacchiello A, Niu L, Tay FR, 2020. Metal-based nanomaterials in biomedical applications: antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity aspects. Adv. Funct. Mater 30 10.1002/adfm.201910021 (in press). DOI

Malhotra M, Suresh S, Garg A, 2018. Tea waste derived activated carbon for the adsorption of sodium diclofenac from wastewater: adsorbent characteristics, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 25, 32210–32220. PubMed

Manjunath SV, Singh Baghel R, Kumar M, 2020. Antagonistic and synergistic analysis of antibiotic adsorption on Prosopis juliflora activated carbon in multicomponent systems. Chem. Eng. J 381, 122713.

Mansour F, Al-Hindi M, Yahfoufi R, Ayoub GM, Ahmad MN, 2018. The use of activated carbon for the removal of pharmaceuticals from aqueous solutions: a review. Rev. Environ. Sci. Bio/Technology 17, 109–145.

Mansouri EH, Reggabi M, 2020. Association between type 2 diabetes and exposure to chlorinated persistent organic pollutants in Algeria: a case-control study. Chemosphere 128596. PubMed

Marican A, Duran-Lara EF, 2018. A review on pesticide removal through different processes. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int 25, 2051–2064. PubMed

Márquez G, Rodríguez EM, Beltrán FJ, Álvarez PM, 2014. Solar photocatalytic ozonation of a mixture of pharmaceutical compounds in water. Chemosphere 113, 71–78. PubMed

Menya E, Olupot PW, Storz H, Lubwama M, Kiros Y, 2018. Production and performance of activated carbon from rice husks for removal of natural organic matter from water: a review. Chem. Eng. Res. Des 129, 271–296.

Milagres JL, Bellato CR, Ferreira SO, de Moura Guimarães L, 2020. Preparation and evaluation of hydrocalumite-iron oxide magnetic intercalated with dodecyl sulfate for removal of agrichemicals. J. Environ. Manag 255, 109845. PubMed

Misra T, Mitra S, Sen S, 2018. Adsorption studies of carbamazepine by green-synthesized magnetic nanosorbents. Nanotechnol. Environ. Eng 3, 11.

Mohammad SG, Ahmed SM, Amr AEGE, Kamel AH, 2020. Porous activated carbon from lignocellulosic agricultural waste for the removal of acetampirid pesticide from aqueous solutions. Molecules 25, 2339. PubMed PMC

Mohebbi A, Farajzadeh MA, Mahmoudzadeh A, Etemady A, 2020. Combination of poly (ε–caprolactone) grafted graphene quantum dots–based dispersive solid phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for extraction of some pesticides from fruit juices prior to their quantification by gas chromatography. Microchem. J 153, 104328.

Molaei MJ, 2019. A review on nanostructured carbon quantum dots and their applications in biotechnology, sensors, and chemiluminescence. Talanta 196, 456–478. PubMed

Moral-Rodríguez AI, Leyva-Ramos R, Ania CO, Ocampo-Pérez R, Isaacs-Páez ED, Carrales-Alvarado DH, Parra JB, 2019. Tailoring the textural properties of an activated carbon for enhancing its adsorption capacity towards diclofenac from aqueous solution. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 26, 6141–6152. PubMed

Moreira VR, Lebron YAR, da Silva MM, de Souza Santos LV, Jacob RS, de Vasconcelos CKB, Viana MM, 2020. Graphene oxide in the remediation of norfloxacin from aqueous matrix: simultaneous adsorption and degradation process. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 27, 34513–34528. PubMed

Nagpal M, Kakkar R, 2019. Use of metal oxides for the adsorptive removal of toxic organic pollutants. Separ. Purif. Technol 211, 522–539.

Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajjadi M, Iravani S, Varma RS, 2021a. Starch, cellulose, pectin, gum, alginate, chitin and chitosan derived (nano)materials for sustainable water treatment: a review. Carbohydr. Polym 251, 116986. PubMed PMC

Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajjadi M, Iravani S, Varma RS, 2021b. Carbon-based sustainable nanomaterials for water treatment: state-of-art and future perspectives. Chemosphere 263, 128005. PubMed PMC

Nassar MY, Ahmed IS, Hendy HS, 2018. A facile one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanostructures and cephalexin antibiotic sorptive removal from polluted aqueous media. J. Mol. Liq 271, 844–856.

Nayak A, Bhushan B, Sharma PK, Gupta V, 2018. Development of magnetic nanoparticles from poplar sawdust for removal of pesticides from aqueous solution. J. Graph. Era Univ 6, 55–70.

Nazal MK, 2020. An overview of carbon-based materials for the removal of pharmaceutical active compounds. Carbon-Based Mater. Environ. Prot. Remediat 83.

Ncibi MC, Sillanpää M, 2017. Optimizing the removal of pharmaceutical drugs Carbamazepine and Dorzolamide from aqueous solutions using mesoporous activated carbons and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. J. Mol. Liq 238, 379–388.

Negara DNKP, Nindhia TGT, Surata IW, Hidajat F, Sucipta M, 2019. Nanopore structures, surface morphology, and adsorption capacity of tabah bamboo-activated carbons. Surfaces and Interfaces 16, 22–28.

Nekoueian K, Amiri M, Sillanpää M, Marken F, Boukherroub R, Szunerits S, 2019. Carbon-based quantum particles: an electroanalytical and biomedical perspective. Chem. Soc. Rev 48, 4281–4316. PubMed

Nie W, Li Y, Chen L, Zhao Z, Zuo X, Wang D, Zhao L, Feng X, 2020. Interaction between multi-walled carbon nanotubes and propranolol. Sci. Rep 10, 10259. PubMed PMC

Nikitas P, 1984. Generalized Flory–Huggins isotherms for adsorption from solution. J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 1 Phys. Chem. Condens. Phases 80, 3315–3329.

Nikolaou A, Meric S, Fatta D, 2007. Occurrence patterns of pharmaceuticals in water and wastewater environments. Anal. Bioanal. Chem 387, 1225–1234. PubMed

Nourmoradi H, Moghadam KF, Jafari A, Kamarehie B, 2018. Removal of acetaminophen and ibuprofen from aqueous solutions by activated carbon derived from Quercus Brantii (Oak) acorn as a low-cost biosorbent. J. Environ. Chem. Eng 6, 6807–6815.

Novoselov KS, Geim AK, Morozov SV, Jiang D, Zhang Y, Dubonos SV, Grigorieva IV, Firsov AA, 2004. Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films. Science 306, 666–669. PubMed

Obodo RM, Ahmad I, Ezema FI, 2019. Introductory chapter: graphene and its applications. In: Graphene and its Derivatives-Synthesis and Applications. IntechOpen, pp. 1–9.

Ogunleye DT, Akpotu SO, Moodley B, 2020. Adsorption of sulfamethoxazole and reactive blue 19 using graphene oxide modified with imidazolium based ionic liquid. Environ. Technol. Innov 17, 100616.

Onsori S, Alipour E, 2018. A theoretical investigation on the adsorption of platinol drug on a ZnO nanocluster: solvent and density functional effect. J. Mol. Liq 256, 558–564.

Organization, W.H., 2012. Pharmaceuticals in Drinking-Water.

Pandiarajan A, Kamaraj R, Vasudevan S, Vasudevan S, 2018. OPAC (orange peel activated carbon) derived from waste orange peel for the adsorption of chlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicides from water: adsorption isotherm, kinetic modelling and thermodynamic studies. Bioresour. Technol 261, 329–341. PubMed

Panic S, Guzsvány V, Kónya Z, Kukovecz Á, Boskovic G, 2017. Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies of thiamethoxam adsorption by multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol 14, 1297–1306.

Panwar N, Soehartono AM, Chan KK, Zeng S, Xu G, Qu J, Coquet P, Yong KT, Chen X, 2019. Nanocarbons for biology and medicine: sensing, imaging, and drug delivery. Chem. Rev 119, 9559–9656. PubMed

Parashar A, Sikarwar S, Jain R, 2020. Removal of drug oxcarbazepine from wastewater at 3D porous NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. J. Dispersion Sci. Technol 41, 884–894.

Paredes-Laverde M, Salamanca M, Silva-Agredo J, Manrique-Losada L, Torres-Palma RA, 2019. Selective removal of acetaminophen in urine with activated carbons from rice (Oryza sativa) and coffee (Coffea arabica) husk: effect of activating agent, activation temperature and analysis of physical-chemical interactions. J. Environ. Chem. Eng 7, 103318.

Priyan VV, Shahnaz T, Suganya E, Sivaprakasam S, Narayanasamy S, 2020. Ecotoxicological assessment of micropollutant Diclofenac biosorption on magnetic sawdust: phyto, Microbial and Fish toxicity studies. J. Hazard Mater 123532. PubMed

Qin X, Du P, Chen J, Liu F, Wang G, Weng L, 2018. Effects of natural organic matter with different properties on levofloxacin adsorption to goethite: experiments and modeling. Chem. Eng. J 345, 425–431.

Radushkevich LV, Lukyanovich VM, 1952. Structure of the carbon produced in the thermal decomposition of carbon monoxide on an iron catalyst. Russ. J. Phys. Chem 26, 88–95.

Rafati L, Ehrampoush MH, Rafati AA, Mokhtari M, Mahvi AH, 2018. Removal of ibuprofen from aqueous solution by functionalized strong nano-clay composite adsorbent: kinetic and equilibrium isotherm studies. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol 15, 513–524.

Rahman A, Hango HJ, Daniel LS, Uahengo V, Jaime SJ, Bhaskaruni SVHS, Jonnalagadda SB, 2019a. Chemical preparation of activated carbon from Acacia erioloba seed pods using H2SO4 as impregnating agent for water treatment: an environmentally benevolent approach. J. Clean. Prod 237, 117689.

Rahman G, Najaf Z, Mehmood A, Bilal S, Shah AU, Mian SA, Ali G, 2019b. An overview of the recent progress in the synthesis and applications of carbon nanotubes. Journal of Carbon Research 5, 1–31.

Rajendran K, Karunagaran V, Mahanty B, Sen S, 2015. Biosynthesis of hematite nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cancer cells. Int. J. Biol. Macromol 74, 376–381. PubMed

Rajendran K, Sen S, 2018. Adsorptive removal of carbamazepine using biosynthesized hematite nanoparticles. Environ. Nanotechnology, Monit. Manag 9, 122–127.

Rawtani D, Khatri N, Tyagi S, Pandey G, 2018. Nanotechnology-based recent approaches for sensing and remediation of pesticides. J. Environ. Manag 206, 749–762. PubMed

Redlich O, Peterson DL, 1959. A useful adsorption isotherm. J. Phys. Chem 63, 1024–1026.

Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Ricart M, Köck-Schulmeyer M, Guasch H, Bonnineau C, Proia L, de Alda ML, Sabater S, Barceló D, 2015. Pharmaceuticals and pesticides in reclaimed water: efficiency assessment of a microfiltration–reverse osmosis (MF–RO) pilot plant. J. Hazard Mater 282, 165–173. PubMed

Rolph CA, Jefferson B, Hassard F, Villa R, 2018. Metaldehyde removal from drinking water by adsorption onto filtration media: mechanisms and optimisation. Environ. Sci. Water Res. Technol 4, 1543–1552.

Rostamian R, Behnejad H, 2018. A comprehensive adsorption study and modeling of antibiotics as a pharmaceutical waste by graphene oxide nanosheets. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf 147, 117–123. PubMed

Saleh IA, Zouari N, Al-Ghouti MA, 2020. Removal of pesticides from water and wastewater: chemical, physical and biological treatment approaches. Environ. Technol. Innov 19, 101026.

Sarkar B, Mandal S, Tsang YF, Kumar P, Kim KH, Ok YS, 2018. Designer carbon nanotubes for contaminant removal in water and wastewater: a critical review. Sci. Total Environ 612, 561–581. PubMed

Schneider T, Westermann M, Glei M, 2017. In vitro uptake and toxicity studies of metal nanoparticles and metal oxide nanoparticles in human HT29 cells. Arch. Toxicol 91, 3517–3527. PubMed

Schug TT, Janesick A, Blumberg B, Heindel JJ, 2011. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and disease susceptibility. J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol 127, 204–215. PubMed PMC

Schultz J, Capobianco G, da Silva Veiga PA, Fornari MR, Antonangelo AR, Tebcherani SM, Mangrich AS, Pianaro SA, 2020. Sustainable activated carbon obtained as a by-product of the sugar and alcohol industry for removal of amoxicillin from aqueous solution. Energy, Ecol. Environ 5, 433–443. 10.1007/s40974-020-00173-3. DOI

Selvaraj M, Hai A, Banat F, Haija MA, 2020. Application and prospects of carbon nanostructured materials in water treatment: a review. J. Water Process Eng 33, 100996.

Sengul AB, Asmatulu E, 2020. Toxicity of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles: a review. Environ. Chem. Lett 18, 1659–1683.

Seo J, Lee YG, Kim SD, Cha CJ, Ahn JH, Hur HG, 2005. Biodegradation of the insecticide N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide by fungi: identification and toxicity of metabolites. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol 48, 323–328. PubMed

Shaker MA, Yakout AA, 2016. Optimization, isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic studies of Pb (II) ions adsorption onto N-maleated chitosan-immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles from aqueous media. Spectrochim. Acta Part A Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc 154, 145–156. PubMed

Shan D, Deng S, Li J, Wang H, He C, Cagnetta G, Wang B, Wang Y, Huang J, Yu G, 2017. Preparation of porous graphene oxide by chemically intercalating a rigid molecule for enhanced removal of typical pharmaceuticals. Carbon N. Y 119, 101–109.

Shanmugham SR, Jegadeesan GB, Ponnusami V, 2020. Chapter 2 - groundwater treatments using nanomaterials. In: Micro and Nano Technologies. Elsevier, pp. 25–49.

Shareena TPD, McShan D, Dasmahapatra AK, Tchounwou PB, 2018. A review on graphene-based nanomaterials in biomedical applications and risks in environment and health. Nano-Micro Lett. 10, 1–34. PubMed PMC

Sharma L, Kakkar R, 2018. Magnetically retrievable one-pot fabrication of mesoporous magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) for the remediation of chlorpyrifos and real pesticide wastewater. J. Environ. Chem. Eng 6, 6891–6903.

Sharma L, Kakkar R, 2017. Hierarchical porous magnesium oxide (Hr-MgO) microspheres for adsorption of an organophosphate pesticide: kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamics, and DFT studies. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 9, 38629–38642. PubMed

Sharma N, Dhiman N, 2017. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies for ciprofloxacin hydrochloride adsorption from aqueous solution on CuO nanoparticles. Int. J. Chem. Res 10, 98–106.

Shejale KP, Yadav D, Patil H, Saxena S, Shukla S, 2020. Evaluation of techniques for the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated water using activated carbon. Mol. Syst. Des. Eng 5, 743–756.

Sherer TB, Richardson JR, Testa CM, Seo BB, Panov AV, Yagi T, Matsuno-Yagi A, Miller GW, Greenamyre JT, 2007. Mechanism of toxicity of pesticides acting at complex I: relevance to environmental etiologies of Parkinson’s disease. J. Neurochem 100, 1469–1479. PubMed PMC

Shokry H, Elkady M, Hamad H, 2019. Nano activated carbon from industrial mine coal as adsorbents for removal of dye from simulated textile wastewater: operational parameters and mechanism study. J. Mater. Res. Technol 8, 4477–4488.

Shrivas K, Patel S, Maji P, Sinha D, 2019. In: Abd-Elsalam KA, Mohamed MA, Prasad R (Eds.), Application of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Removal of Pesticides from Environmental Samples Prior to Instrumental Analysis BT - Magnetic Nanostructures : Environmental and Agricultural Applications. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp. 247–260.

Singh NB, Nagpal G, Agrawal S, Rachna, 2018. Water purification by using adsorbents: a review. Environ. Technol. Innov 11, 187–240.

Sips R, 1948. Combined form of Langmuir and Freundlich equations. J. Chem. Phys 16, 490–495.

Sobhan A, Muthukumarappan K, Cen Z, Wei L, 2019. Characterization of nanocellulose and activated carbon nanocomposite films’ biosensing properties for smart packaging. Carbohydr. Polym 225, 115189. PubMed

Spaltro A, Pila M, Simonetti S, Álvarez-Torrellas S, Rodríguez JG, Ruiz D, Compañy AD, Juan A, Allegretti P, 2018. Adsorption and removal of phenoxy acetic herbicides from water by using commercial activated carbons: experimental and computational studies. J. Contam. Hydrol 218, 84–93. PubMed

Srivastava V, Zare EN, Makvandi P, Zheng X, Iftekhar S, Wu A, Padil VVT, Mokhtari B, Varma RS, Tay FR, 2020. Cytotoxic aquatic pollutants and their removal by nanocomposite-based sorbents. Chemosphere 258, 127324. PubMed

Suo F, Liu X, Li C, Yuan M, Zhang B, Wang J, Ma Y, Lai Z, Ji M, 2019. Mesoporous activated carbon from starch for superior rapid pesticides removal. Int. J. Biol. Macromol 121, 806–813. PubMed

Tang L, Ma XY, Wang Y, Zhang S, Zheng K, Wang XC, Lin Y, 2020. Removal of trace organic pollutants (pharmaceuticals and pesticides) and reduction of biological effects from secondary effluent by typical granular activated carbon. Sci. Total Environ 749, 141611. PubMed

Tarcan R, Todor-Boer O, Petrovai I, Leordean C, Astilean S, Botiz I, 2020. Reduced graphene oxide today. J. Mater. Chem. C 8, 1198–1224.

Teixeira S, Delerue-Matos C, Santos L, 2019. Application of experimental design methodology to optimize antibiotics removal by walnut shell based activated carbon. Sci. Total Environ 646, 168–176. PubMed

Temkin MJ, Pyzhev V, 1940. Kinetics of ammonia synthesis on promoted iron-catalysts. Acta Physicochim 12, 217–222.

Thangavel S, Venugopal G, 2014. Understanding the adsorption property of graphene-oxide with different degrees of oxidation levels. Powder Technol. 257, 141–148.

Tong Y, McNamara PJ, Mayer BK, 2019. Adsorption of organic micropollutants onto biochar: a review of relevant kinetics, mechanisms and equilibrium. Environ. Sci. Water Res. Technol 5, 821–838.

Touraud E, Roig B, Sumpter JP, Coetsier C, 2011. Drug residues and endocrine disruptors in drinking water: risk for humans? Int. J. Hyg Environ. Health 214, 437–441. PubMed

Tovar AK, Godínez LA, Espejel F, Ramírez-Zamora RM, Robles I, 2019. Optimization of the integral valorization process for orange peel waste using a design of experiments approach: production of high-quality pectin and activated carbon. Waste Manag. 85, 202–213. PubMed

Umbreen N, Sohni S, Ahmad I, Khattak NU, Gul K, 2018. Self-assembled three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide-based hydrogel for highly efficient and facile removal of pharmaceutical compounds from aqueous solution. J. Colloid Interface Sci 527, 356–367. PubMed

Varma RS, 2019. Biomass-derived renewable carbonaceous materials for sustainable chemical and environmental applications. ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng 7, 6458–6470.

Veclani D, Melchior A, 2020. Adsorption of ciprofloxacin on carbon nanotubes: insights from molecular dynamics simulations. J. Mol. Liq 298, 111977.

Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy A, Moniruzzaman M, Veera Manohara Reddy Y, Madhavi G, 2019. Chapter 18 - graphene-based nanomaterials for the removal of pharmaceuticals in drinking water sources. In: Micro and Nano Technologies. Elsevier, pp. 329–358.

Viotti PV, Moreira WM, dos Santos OAA, Bergamasco R, Vieira AMS, Vieira MF, 2019. Diclofenac removal from water by adsorption on Moringa oleifera pods and activated carbon: mechanism, kinetic and equilibrium study. J. Clean. Prod 219, 809–817.

Völker J, Stapf M, Miehe U, Wagner M, 2019. Systematic review of toxicity removal by advanced wastewater treatment technologies via ozonation and activated carbon. Environ. Sci. Technol 53, 7215–7233. PubMed

Wallace PR, 1947. The band theory of graphite. Phys. Rev 71, 622–634.

Wang CY, Makvandi P, Zare EN, Tay FR, Niu LN, 2020a. Advances in antimicrobial organic and inorganic nanocompounds in biomedicine. Adv. Ther 3, 2000024.

Wang F, Ma S, Si Y, Dong L, Wang X, Yao J, Chen H, Yi Z, Yao W, Xing B, 2017. Interaction mechanisms of antibiotic sulfamethoxazole with various graphene-based materials and multiwall carbon nanotubes and the effect of humic acid in water. Carbon N. Y 114, 671–678.

Wang L, Shi C, Wang L, Pan L, Zhang X, Zou JJ, 2020b. Rational design, synthesis, adsorption principles and applications of metal oxide adsorbents: a review. Nanoscale 12, 4790–4815. PubMed

Wang T, Zhang Z, Zhang H, Zhong X, Liu Y, Liao S, Yue X, Zhou G, 2019a. Sorption of carbendazim on activated carbons derived from rape straw and its mechanism. RSC Adv. 9, 41745–41754. PubMed PMC

Wang Y, Huang H, Wei X, 2018. Influence of wastewater precoagulation on adsorptive filtration of pharmaceutical and personal care products by carbon nanotube membranes. Chem. Eng. J 333, 66–75.

Wang Y, Pan C, Chu W, Vipin AK, Sun L, 2019b. Environmental remediation applications of carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide: adsorption and catalysis. Nanomaterials 9, 439. PubMed PMC

Wang Y, Wang S, Xie T, Cao J, 2020c. Activated carbon derived from waste tangerine seed for the high-performance adsorption of carbamate pesticides from water and plant. Bioresour. Technol 316, 123929. PubMed

Wang Z, Gao Z, Feng S, Wang J, Guo X, 2019c. Experimental and computational study on the adsorption mechanism of 2-arylpropionic acids on graphene: solvent effects and aromatic features affecting the adsorption performance. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res 58, 8072–8079.

Watkins M, Sizochenko N, Moore Q, Golebiowski M, Leszczynska D, Leszczynski J, 2017. Chlorophenol sorption on multi-walled carbon nanotubes: DFT modeling and structure–property relationship analysis. J. Mol. Model 23, 39. PubMed

Weber WJ, Morris JC, 1963. Kinetics of adsorption on carbon from solution. J. Sanit. Eng. Div 89, 31–60.

Wei X, Wu Z, Wu Z, Ye B-C, 2018. Adsorption behaviors of atrazine and Cr(III) onto different activated carbons in single and co-solute systems. Powder Technol. 329, 207–216.

Wernke G, Shimabuku-Biadola QL, dos Santos TRT, Silva MF, Fagundes-Klen MR, Bergamasco R, 2020. Adsorption of cephalexin in aqueous media by graphene oxide: kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 27, 4725–4736. PubMed

Wolfram J, Stehle S, Bub S, Petschick LL, Schulz R, 2019. Insecticide risk in US surface waters: drivers and spatiotemporal modeling. Environ. Sci. Technol 53, 12071–12080. PubMed

Wu FC, Tseng RL, Juang RS, 2009. Characteristics of Elovich equation used for the analysis of adsorption kinetics in dye-chitosan systems. Chem. Eng. J 150, 366–373.

Wu T, Xue Q, Liu F, Zhang J, Zhou C, Cao J, Chen H, 2019. Mechanistic insight into interactions between tetracycline and two iron oxide minerals with different crystal structures. Chem. Eng. J 366, 577–586.

Wu W, Jiang CZ, Roy VAL, 2016. Designed synthesis and surface engineering strategies of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Nanoscale 8, 19421–19474. PubMed

Xiang Y, Xu Z, Wei Y, Zhou Y, Yang X, Yang Y, Yang J, Zhang J, Luo L, Zhou Z, 2019. Carbon-based materials as adsorbent for antibiotics removal: mechanisms and influencing factors. J. Environ. Manag 237, 128–138. PubMed

Yadav S, Goel N, Kumar V, Singhal S, 2019. Graphene oxide as proficient adsorbent for the removal of harmful pesticides: comprehensive experimental cum DFT investigations. Anal. Chem. Lett 9, 291–310.

Yadav S, Goel N, Kumar V, Tikoo K, Singhal S, 2018. Removal of fluoroquinolone from aqueous solution using graphene oxide: experimental and computational elucidation. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res 25, 2942–2957. PubMed

Yan F, Kumar S, Spyrou K, Syari’ati A, De Luca O, Thomou E, Alfonsín EM, Gournis D, Rudolf P, 2020. Highly Efficient Remediation of Chloridazon and its Metabolites: the Case of Graphene Oxide Nanoplatelets. ACS ES&T Water.

Yang B, Liu Y, Liang Q, Chen M, Ma L, Li L, Liu Q, Tu W, Lan D, Chen Y, 2019a. Evaluation of activated carbon synthesized by one-stage and two-stage co-pyrolysis from sludge and coconut shell. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf 170, 722–731. PubMed

Yang M, Yuan Z, Liu J, Fang Z, Fang L, Yu D, Li Q, 2019b. Photoresponsive actuators built from carbon-based soft materials. Adv. Opt. Mater 7, 1900069.

Yek PNY, Liew RK, Osman MS, Lee CL, Chuah JH, Park YK, Lam SS, 2019. Microwave steam activation, an innovative pyrolysis approach to convert waste palm shell into highly microporous activated carbon. J. Environ. Manag 236, 245–253. PubMed

Yi P, Zhang D, Qiu D, Peng L, Lai X, 2019. Carbon-based coatings for metallic bipolar plates used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 44, 6813–6843.

Yin R, Sun J, Xiang Y, Shang C, 2018. Recycling and reuse of rusted iron particles containing core-shell Fe-FeOOH for ibuprofen removal: adsorption and persulfate-based advanced oxidation. J. Clean. Prod 178, 441–448.

Yu C, Bahashi J, Bi E, 2019. Mechanisms and quantification of adsorption of three anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals onto goethite with/without surface-bound organic acids. Chemosphere 222, 593–602. PubMed

Yusuf M, Elfghi FM, Zaidi SA, Abdullah EC, Khan MA, 2015. Applications of graphene and its derivatives as an adsorbent for heavy metal and dye removal: a systematic and comprehensive overview. RSC Adv. 5, 50392–50420.

Yusuf M, Khan MA, Abdullah EC, Elfghi M, Hosomi M, Terada A, Riya S, Ahmad A, 2016. Dodecyl sulfate chain anchored mesoporous graphene: synthesis and application to sequester heavy metal ions from aqueous phase. Chem. Eng. J 304, 431–439.

Yusuf M, Khan MA, Otero M, Abdullah EC, Hosomi M, Terada A, Riya S, 2017. Synthesis of CTAB intercalated graphene and its application for the adsorption of AR265 and AO7 dyes from water. J. Colloid Interface Sci 493, 51–61. PubMed

Yusuf M, Kumar M, Khan MA, Sillanpää M, Arafat H, 2019. A review on exfoliation, characterization, environmental and energy applications of graphene and graphene-based composites. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci 273, 102036. PubMed

Zare EN, Motahari A, Sillanpää M, 2018. Nanoadsorbents based on conducting polymer nanocomposites with main focus on polyaniline and its derivatives for removal of heavy metal ions/dyes: a review. Environ. Res 162, 173–195. PubMed

Zareei F, Ghoreyshi AA, 2011. Modeling of air stripping-vapor permeation hybrid process for removal of Vocs from wastewater and VOCs recovery. World Appl. Sci. J 13, 2067–2074.

Zhang S, Gu P, Ma R, Luo C, Wen T, Zhao G, Cheng W, Wang X, 2019. Recent developments in fabrication and structure regulation of visible-light-driven g-C3N4-based photocatalysts towards water purification: a critical review. Catal. Today 335, 65–77.

Zhang W, 2003. Nanoscale iron particles for environmental remediation: an overview. J. Nanoparticle Res 5, 323–332.

Zhao DL, Chung TS, 2018. Applications of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) in membrane technologies: a review. Water Res. 147, 43–49. PubMed

Zhao Y, Cho CW, Wang D, Choi JW, Lin S, Yun YS, 2020. Simultaneous scavenging of persistent pharmaceuticals with different charges by activated carbon fiber from aqueous environments. Chemosphere 247, 125909. PubMed

Zhao Y, Liu F, Qin X, 2017. Adsorption of diclofenac onto goethite: adsorption kinetics and effects of pH. Chemosphere 180, 373–378. PubMed

Zhou Y, He Y, Xiang Y, Meng S, Liu X, Yu J, Yang J, Zhang J, Qin P, Luo L, 2019. Single and simultaneous adsorption of pefloxacin and Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions by oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube. Sci. Total Environ 646, 29–36. PubMed

Zhu Y, Wu J, Chen M, Liu X, Xiong Y, Wang Y, Feng T, Kang S, Wang X, 2019. Recent advances in the biotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles: impacts on plants, animals and microorganisms. Chemosphere 237, 124403. PubMed