Revolutionizing water treatment: membrane bioreactor as decontaminant of pesticide residue

Abstract

Pesticide residues contaminating water bodies from agricultural and industrial sources pose a major environmental threat that conventional treatment methods struggle to address effectively. Membrane bioreactors (MBRs), combining biological degradation with membrane filtration, have emerged as a promising solution for removing persistent pesticide contaminants from water. In this chapter we will provide an in-depth examination of the fundamental mechanisms, operational factors, and performance assessment of MBRs applied to pesticide removal. It explores the interplay between membrane separation processes like microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration and the metabolic activities of specialized microbial communities capable of breaking down pesticides. For successful decontamination of pesticides using MBR clear understanding of the biodegradation pathways and enzymatic mechanisms underlying the transformation and mineralization of different pesticide classes such as organochlorines, organophosphates, and synthetic pyrethroids is important. Various operational parameters like hydraulic retention time, solid retention time, mixed liquor suspended solids concentration, and redox conditions influence pesticide removal efficiencies and degradation kinetics in MBRs. Besides physicochemical properties of pesticides, such as hydrophobicity, volatility, and molecular structure, also affect the bioavailability and susceptibility of pesticides to degradation. Recently there are diverse kinds of membrane reactors like submerged MBR, extractive MBR, MF MBR, membrane filtration MBR containing polyethylene hollow fiber, MBR incorporated with semiconductor diode laser, etc. Along with pesticide removal from water MBRs can also be used for the removal of other emerging contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting compounds and antibiotics. Through a review of case studies and pilot-scale applications the performance of MBRs in treating pesticide-contaminated water from agricultural runoff, industrial effluents, and municipal wastewater will be evaluated. Challenges associated with MBR implementation, including membrane fouling, energy consumption, and potential toxic by-product formation, will also be addressed. MBR is an emerging technique, and in future it can be further explored or modified by integrating it with advanced oxidation processes, developing novel antifouling membrane materials, and applying omics techniques (metagenomics, metaproteomics, and metabolomics) to optimize MBR performance and elucidate complex microbial dynamics involved in pesticide biodegradation. The comprehensive analysis of MBR can provide a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and policymakers, deepening the understanding of MBR technology’s potential to tackle pesticide water contamination while paving the way for future advancements in this field. © 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.