The presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment presents a challenge to modern science. The most significant impact this can induce is the emergence of antibiotic resistance, which can lead to a global health emergency. It is important to note that the impact of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment is not limited to antibiotic resistance. Pharmaceuticals can also affect the behaviour and reproductive systems of aquatic organisms, with cascading effects on entire ecosystems. Numerous studies have reported the emergence of pharmaceuticals due to the uncontrolled disposal of polluted domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastewater in water bodies. This work discusses the potential of pharmaceuticals that on one hand are highly important for mankind, yet their non-judicious usage and disposal induce equally intriguing and problematic conditions to the health of aquatic systems. Pathways through which pharmaceutics can make their way into water bodies are discussed. Furthermore, the risk imposed by pharmaceuticals on aquatic life is also elaborated. The possible and pragmatic remediation methods through which pharmaceutical products can be treated are also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the potential of phytoremediation and advanced oxidative process, and the factors affecting the efficacy of these remediation methods are discussed.

Heavy metals (HMs) are indestructible and non-biodegradable. Phytoremediation presents an opportunity to transfer HMs from environmental matrices into plants, making it easy to translocate from one place to another. The ornate features of HMs' phytoremediation are biophilia and carbon neutrality, compared to the physical and chemical remediation methods. Some recent studies related to LCA also support that phytoremediation is technically more sustainable than competing technologies. However, one major post-application challenge associated with HMs phytoremediation is properly managing HMs contaminated biomass generated. Such a yield presents the problem of reintroducing HMs into the environment due to natural decomposition and release of plant sap from the harvested biomass. The transportation of high yields can also make phytoremediation economically inviable. This review presents the design of a sustainable phytoremediation strategy using an ever-evolving life cycle assessment tool. This review also discusses possible post-phytoremediation biomass management strategies for the HMs contaminated biomass management. These strategies include composting, leachate compaction, gasification, pyrolysis, torrefaction, and metal recovery. Further, the commercial outlook for properly utilizing HMs contaminated biomass was presented.