The Coronavirus disease pandemic over the last 3 years has diverted the attention of the global population from a self-centred monitory growth to a holistic growth, with health and environment as the central focus. Pharmaceuticals and microplastics have emerged as some of the most prominent environmental contaminants in recent times. Although adsorption is recognized globally as a low-cost and effective remediation process, the removal of a variety of pollutants from environmental niches still remains a challenge. This review highlights the use of valorized waste aquatic biomass as an adsorbent for the withdrawal of various emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals, microplastics and heavy metals). Unwanted invasive aquatic plants can be used as a valuable resource for conversion into an ideal precursor and value product for the development of carbon-based adsorbents that have numerous industrial and environmental applications. There lacks a comprehensive review and analysis on the use of biochar, derived from aquatic biomass, for the extraction of emerging pollutants, especially for microplastics. This distinctive, timely work will aid in the expansion of research on the production of biochar from a waste resource, strengthen their use as adsorbent and help combat the increasing pollution due to various emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and microplastics. (c) 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
