Boron removal from seawater: State-of-the-art review

• Boron may have negative effects on some plants.
• Hybrid methods are highly efficient for boron removal from seawater.
• Combination of ion exchange with easiness of membrane separations has advantages.

Boron is a vital nutrient for humans, plants and animals. On the other hand, it might cause negative effects for some plants when its concentration exceeds the permissible limits in irrigation water. Seawater is an essential water source for life in which boron concentration should be reduced to match the final user specifications and environmental restrictions. Boron removal from seawater is challenging as it can not be achieved by conventional treatment methods. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review on technologies employed most recently, including ion-exchange, membrane processes, hybrid systems and other methods to remove boron from seawater efficiently.