Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is one of the most hazardous and widely distributed environmental pollutants found in both drinking water and wastewater systems. Due to its persistent nature and strong tendency to bioaccumulate and biomagnify within living organisms, mercury poses significant risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Exposure to elevated levels of mercury can lead to severe neurological, developmental, renal, and immunological disorders, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. Recognizing these health concerns, various international and national environmental protection agencies have established maximum permissible limits for mercury concentrations in water resources. Water containing mercury levels above these prescribed standards is considered unsafe for human consumption and environmental sustainability. Mercury contamination originates from both natural and anthropogenic sources, including volcanic activities, mining operations, industrial effluents, fossil fuel combustion, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal of mercury-containing products. The increasing incidence of mercury pollution in water bodies worldwide has become a major environmental and public health concern. Therefore, the effective removal of excess mercury from drinking water and wastewater is of paramount importance. In recent years, considerable attention has been directed toward the development of sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly remediation technologies for mercury removal.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of mercury contamination in water systems, highlighting its major sources, industrial applications, global status of mercury pollution, and associated health hazards. Special emphasis is placed on the regulatory standards and permissible limits established by environmental authorities. Furthermore, the review critically examines recent advances in mercury removal technologies, including adsorption, membrane filtration, phytoremediation, biosorption, nanotechnology-based approaches, and other eco-friendly treatment methods aimed at ensuring safe and sustainable water quality.

Keywords:Mercury; Metal; Toxicity; Sources; Water; Removal techniques