title: Natural treatment systems as sustainable ecotechnologies for the developing countries.
abstract: The purpose of natural treatment systems is the re-establishment of disturbed ecosystems and their sustainability for benefits to human and nature. The working of natural treatment systems on ecological principles and their sustainability in terms of low cost, low energy consumption, and low mechanical technology is highly desirable. The current review presents pros and cons of the natural treatment systems, their performance, and recent developments to use them in the treatment of various types of wastewaters. Fast population growth and economic pressure in some developing countries compel the implementation of principles of natural treatment to protect natural environment. The employment of these principles for waste treatment not only helps in environmental cleanup but also conserves biological communities. The systems particularly suit developing countries of the world. We reviewed information on constructed wetlands, vermicomposting, role of mangroves, land treatment systems, soil-aquifer treatment, and finally aquatic systems for waste treatment. Economic cost and energy requirements to operate various kinds of natural treatment systems were also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA. mahmoodzju@gmail.com
authors.forename: Qaisar
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.forename: Arshid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pervez
authors.forename: Bibi Saima
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Zeb
authors.forename: Habiba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zaffar
authors.forename: Hajra
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yaqoob
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waseem
authors.lastname: Zahidullah
authors.forename: Sumera
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Afsheen
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000639:trends*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D003906:Developing Countries; D017753:Ecosystem; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D062065:Wastewater; D014873:Water Pollutants