Background and Objectives: Oxidant-based Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) offer promising options for treating persistent environmental pollutants. Chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), a naturally occurring iron- and copper-containing mineral, has attracted attention as a catalyst for oxidant activation. This policy brief synthesizes available evidence on treatment performance, environmental risks, and practical limitations of chalcopyrite-mediated AOPs to translate scientific findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers.
Methods: A structured literature search and qualitative evidence synthesis were conducted using Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar (2010–2026), focusing on treatment performance, activation mechanisms, catalyst stability, metal leaching, and transformation-product toxicity.
Policy Options: Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ and Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ redox couples, together with sulfur species, drive radical and non-radical pathways for pollutant degradation. However, performance is strongly influenced by oxidant type, pH, catalyst properties, and operating conditions. Metal leaching, catalyst deactivation, and uncertainties regarding transformation-product toxicity remain important barriers. Available evidence is predominantly laboratory-scale (TRL 1–3), with pilot- and full-scale validation lacking. Policy options include prioritizing pilot-scale demonstrations, mandating monitoring of dissolved metals (Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb) and residual oxidants, requiring toxicity testing and transformation-product screening, and funding techno-economic and life-cycle assessments.
Conclusion: Chalcopyrite-mediated AOPs are not yet deployment-ready. A staged approach—integrating mechanistic validation, standardized monitoring, toxicity assessment, and pilot-scale evaluation—is essential to determine whether these technologies can provide safe, cost-effective, and scalable solutions for water and wastewater treatment.