Frontiers in environmental cleanup: Recent advances in remediation of emerging pollutants from soil and water

• Advancements in environmental cleanup use nanotech for efficient pollutant removal. • Electrochemical methods and sorption tech offer effective pollutant removal. • Hybrid treatment systems with multiple approaches for synergistic pollutant removal. • Green remediation prioritizes sustainability in cleanup efforts. Recent advancements in environmental remediation have significantly improved the treatment of soil and water pollution, yet the complexity and dispersion of emerging pollutants remain major challenges. This review highlights the most promising technologies and strategies in remediation emphasizing their potential to protect ecosystems and human health. In soil remediation, phytoremediation utilizes plants to absorb and immobilize pollutants while bioremediation employs microorganisms to degrade organic contaminants in a sustainable manner. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions through the use of nanoparticles as efficient sorbents or catalysts. For water remediation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as photocatalysis and ozonation effectively degrade recalcitrant pollutants enhancing water quality. Biochar and other sorbents present viable options for pollutant removal and membrane technologies like reverse osmosis provide selective purification for diverse applications. The review underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in advancing remediation technologies. Integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning can further optimize these processes by analyzing complex data and predicting pollutant behavior. As environmental challenges evolve, continuous innovation and research are essential to combat emerging pollutants. This review serves as a call to action for the scientific community to embrace interdisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge technologies to safeguard the environment for future generations.