In real-world systems, these methods often shift contamination from one phase to another rather than eliminating it.                                                                                                                                                                                                        Traditional radioactive wastewater treatment relies on a combination of physical and chemical processes:                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Chemical Precipitation converts dissolved radionuclides into insoluble forms, generates large volumes of radioactive sludge requiring secure disposal; ineffective for chelated radionuclides.

Ion Exchange can be highly effective for specific radionuclides, however IX resins become radioactive waste themselves, performance declines in high-salinity or mixed-contaminant waters.

Adsorptions such as GAC and Zeolites can be adopted as a polishing step, but they have limited capacity, require frequent replacement, and generate secondary solid waste.

Membrane Processes (RO, NF, UF) deliver High separation efficiency, but there are membrane fouling, high energy demand, and production of radioactive concentrate streams.

Evaporation is common in nuclear facilities, but it’s extremely energy-intensive and concentrates radionuclides into small but highly hazardous residues.