Nature-Based Solutions for Water Pollution Control

Abstract

Water pollution has emerged as a significant environmental challenge worldwide, driven by industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and urbanization. Traditional wastewater treatment methods often rely on chemical or energy-intensive processes, which can be costly and environmentally unsustainable. Nature-based solutions (NBS), leveraging natural processes and ecosystems, offer a sustainable alternative for controlling water pollution. This paper reviews the key approaches of NBS for water pollution management, including constructed wetlands, riparian buffers, green infrastructure, and phytoremediation techniques. The mechanisms, effectiveness, advantages, limitations, and implementation strategies of these solutions are discussed. Furthermore, this review highlights the integration of NBS with modern monitoring technologies and their potential role in achieving sustainable water management goals. Tables and figures are included to summarize pollutant removal efficiencies and comparative performance of different NBS approaches.

KEYWORDS: Nature-based solutions, water pollution, constructed wetlands, phytoremediation, green infrastructure, riparian buffers, sustainable water management.