Reflections and Prospects on Excessive Oxidation in the Removal of Emerging Organic Contaminants from Wastewater in China

The accelerated processes of industrialization and urbanization have led to increasingly prominent environmental risks by emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in wastewater. These contaminants are characterized by low concentrations, high toxicity, and complex composition, making their efficient removal crucial for safeguarding ecological security and human health. Advanced oxidation processes exhibit significant potential for the removal of EOCs due to their high degradation efficiency. However, current treatment paradigms remain constrained by several critical issues. Notably, the routine over-oxidation of low-toxicity small-molecule organics solely aims to satisfy chemical oxygen demand (COD) compliance standards. This unnecessary practice not only increases operational costs and carbon footprint but also leads to energy waste and reduced overall treatment efficiency. Based on the current technological landscape, this paper analyzes the core challenges in the removal of EOCs at present. In light of policy orientations and technological trends, it outlines future research directions and industrial development pathways, providing insights for achieving the synergistic goals of efficient removal of EOCs, low carbon emissions, and cost-effective operation.