Application of artificial intelligence-based modeling for the removal of emerging contaminants from aqueous system: Recent advancements and future prospects

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising technique that has the potential to improve the quality of life and can provide solutions to real-time problems. AI tools are important due to simple operation, easy adaptation and nonlinear system estimation without information on the relationship of variables. Remediation of emerging contaminants such as dye, heavy metals, personal care products, and pharmaceutical compounds through various adsorbents has been achieved by using various AI tools. Machine learning (ML) and artificial neural network (ANN) have shown their efficiency in solving various chemical engineering problems, but their wide applications are still in an initiatory stage. There are many benefits of AI tools; however, there are also some constraints which check the use of these tools for the elimination of emerging contaminants and treatment of polluted water at real sites. There is an urgent need to focus on data availability and selection with high precision for the successful application of AI for the removal of emerging contaminants. Further research is needed for the implementation of AI in solving different environmental problems.