Revealing the Development of Agriculture Wastewater Treatment: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Publications from 1971 to 2022 using Scopus Database

Abstract

Abstract This bibliometric study examines scholarly research on agriculture wastewater treatment using Scopus data from 1971 to 2022. The analysis explores publication trends, leading countries, prolific authors, and keyword co-occurrences. By employing various procedures to collect and refine data, a total of 1,706 research articles were retrieved. The findings indicate a steady growth in research on wastewater treatment since the 1970s, with a significant surge in publications in recent decades. Notably, there has been a considerable increase in research related to wastewater agriculture treatment, focusing on topics such as wastewater treatment technologies, agriculture reuse, and environmental impacts. The analysis also highlights influential authors, institutions, and countries driving research in this field, along with the most cited publications and journals. Additionally, the study identifies research gaps and suggests future research directions in wastewater treatment. From an economic standpoint, this analysis offers insights into the economic value of wastewater treatment research, including its potential to enhance resource efficiency, reduce environmental costs, and foster sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, it underscores the importance of research policy in shaping the direction and impact of wastewater treatment studies. Overall, this bibliometric analysis provides valuable insights into the landscape of wastewater treatment research, its evolution over the past five decades, and its economic and policy implications.