Studies on wastewater treatment using solar photocatalysis in Oman

The demand for water in Sultanate of Oman is rapidly growing due to fast urbanization as well population growth. Oman depends on ground water and its limited rainfall for around 65% of its water supplies with desalinated water making up the remaining 35%. Oman is considered to be water stress country with an average annual rainfall of 100 mm and it is also predicted that water demand exceeds renewable sources by 25% due to decline in water levels and saline intrusion in coastal aquifers. In addition to the natural water resources available much emphasis is also given for desalination, municipal and oil produced treated water for the country's requirement. Many techniques are used for treatment of pollutants in wastewater; solar photocatalysis is one such technique that is gaining popularity in the recent past. Oman is blessed with highest solar intensity in the world and hence the focus is on harnessing solar energy for various purposes including in wastewater treatment. This paper discusses the research output on the performance of solar photocatalysis wastewater treatment in Oman.