Innovative bio-based soft technologies promise sustainable wastewater treatment, enabling recovery of clean water, biofuels, nutrients, and energy while advancing India’s circular economy goals.
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at Nagaland University have introduced a nature-inspired solution to transform wastewater into a valuable resource hub. This innovative approach, led by Prof. Prabhakar Sharma, Head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, is designed to recover clean water, nutrients, biofuels, biogas, and energy while promoting environmental sustainability.
The research advances the concept of bio-based soft technologies, which leverage natural systems — including plants, algae, and microbes — to simultaneously treat wastewater and extract high-value resources. Unlike traditional wastewater treatment systems that primarily focus on pollutant removal, this approach aligns with circular economy principles and supports India’s goals for water reuse and climate resilience.
Published in the prestigious journal Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, the study highlights how combining technologies like algae-based systems, microbial fuel cells, and constructed wetlands can significantly enhance the efficiency of wastewater management.
“The global wastewater burden from domestic, agricultural, and industrial sectors poses severe threats to ecosystems,” said Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University. “This research emphasizes the untapped potential in wastewater, shifting the focus toward resource recovery and sustainable development.”
According to Prof. Sharma, the adoption of bio-based soft technologies could revolutionize rural and peri-urban wastewater treatment, providing low-cost, decentralized, and environmentally friendly solutions. The system operates by harnessing microbial action, ecological interactions, and plant uptake to decompose pollutants and recover nutrients, enabling sustainable agriculture and improved water quality.
“This work redefines wastewater treatment as an opportunity, not a burden,” Prof. Sharma noted. “It supports environmental conservation and contributes to India’s sustainability and climate adaptation initiatives.”
However, the researchers acknowledge that current applications remain limited to lab-scale models. The next phase involves pilot-scale testing, collaboration with local communities, and standardization of processes to optimize cost and efficiency. Long-term studies are also planned to assess system stability and performance in real-world settings.
Key Innovations in the Research:
- Integration of resource recovery and pollutant removal for sustainable water management.
- Hybrid systems (e.g., microbial fuel cells with algae) for increased efficiency.
- Mechanisms to tackle emerging contaminants, such as microplastics.
- Emphasis on scalability, techno-economic analysis, and implementation strategies.
This research sets a roadmap for future applied innovations, encouraging industries and policymakers to embrace environmentally sound technologies that offer both economic gains and ecological benefits.