Hydroponics Technology: A Sustainable and Innovative Bioprocess Approach for Wastewater Treatment and Nutrient Recovery

Water scarcity and pollution continue to be crucial challenges globally. By 2030, it is expected that approximately 1.8 billion people will suffer from water scarcity worldwide. Hence, there is a need to shift toward sustainable methods of wastewater treatment, such as hydroponics, which not only treat wastewater but also facilitate the recovery of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, important for crop production. It enables nutrient recovery under controlled environmental conditions, resulting in both crop cultivation and environmental protection. This review highlights the mechanism and effectiveness of hydroponic systems in removing pollutants and nutrients such as nitrogen compounds, phosphates, heavy metals, organic pollutants, and pathogens from wastewater. Additionally, a novel hybrid system of hydroponics-plant-microbial fuel cell has also been proposed for simultaneous wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. Further research is required to assess the adaptability of hydroponics wastewater systems on a large scale and to develop agronomic strategies that enhance their efficiency.