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Phosphorus (P) scarcity and the environmental hazards posed by P discharges have triggered the development of technologies for P sequestration and removal from waste streams. Agriculture runoff usually has P concentrations high enough to contribute to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms, but they are still too low for successful P removal with conventional technologies commonly applied in wastewater treatment. For this reason, realistic approaches to remove P from agricultural waste streams mainly include natural assimilation and constructed wetlands. Although these technologies have been implemented for some time, P removal is not always achieved to the needed extent and sometimes sufficient surface areas required are unattainable. Phosphorus sorbing materials, especially materials rich in calcium, have emerged to increase the removal potential of runoff treatment wetlands and at the same time sequester P for potential subsequent reuse. This paper analyses the current strategies and technologies for P removal and reuse from agriculture surface runoff streams taking a circular economy approach. It particularly addresses the current state of calcium rich materials commonly used for P removal that have also shown positive results as fertilizers or soil., This work has been possible thanks to the European funding programme “Iniciativa de Empleo Juvenil” and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project reference: PEJ2018-005586-A)., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

Emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) include a diverse group of chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), pesticides, hormones, surfactants, flame retardants and plasticizers. Many of these compounds are not significantly removed in conventional wastewater treatment plants and are discharged to the environment, presenting an increasing threat to both humans and natural ecosystems. Recently, antibiotics have received considerable attention due to growing microbial antibiotic-resistance in the environment. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have proven effective in removing many EOCs, including different antibiotics, before discharge of treated wastewater into the environment. Wastewater treatment systems that couple conventional treatment plants with constructed and natural wetlands offer a strategy to remove EOCs and reduce antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) far more efficiently than conventional treatment alone. This review presents as overview of the current knowledge on the efficiency of different wetland systems in reducing EOCs and antibiotic resistance., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (author's final draft)