A CRITICAL STUDY OF CO₂ SEQUESTRATION IN WASTEWATER SYSTEMS AND IT'S MANAGEMENT

The escalating levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere have been identified as a key driver of climate change, making CO₂ sequestration an urgent environmental priority. Conventional methods such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) focus on reducing emissions at the source, but these techniques often face scalability and economic challenges. In this context, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are ubiquitous in urban environments, present an underutilized opportunity for both managing pollutants and mitigating CO₂ emissions. By leveraging bioprocessing technologies, such as algae-based systems, microbial electrochemical technologies (METs), and integrated bioreactor designs, wastewater systems can be transformed into effective tools for CO₂ sequestration. This article explores innovative bioprocessing approaches for enhancing CO₂ capture in wastewater systems. Through a thorough examination of the mechanisms behind these technologies, the challenges to large-scale implementation, and recent advancements, we present a vision for integrating CO₂ sequestration with wastewater treatment. The proposed solutions not only contribute to climate change mitigation but also offer potential for creating sustainable, circular economies by reusing captured carbon for beneficial purposes such as biofuel production and nutrient recycling.