Aim of the study:
Electrocoagulation (EC) is a well-established wastewater treatment technique that has been extensively investigated for a variety of wastewater contaminants. The aim of the paper is to review electrocoagulation (EC) as a wastewater treatment method.

Material and methods:
The paper summarises and explains recent developments in reactor geometries and scale-up, electrode materials and modifications, reaction mechanisms and kinetics, and operating parameters (current density, pH, conductivity, inter-electrode distance, temperature). The review covers coupled, hybrid EC-based systems, providing comparative performance by wastewater type, and evaluates the techno-economic and environmental factors that influence field implementation.

Results and conclusions:
The key findings of the paper are: 1) iron- and aluminum-based electrodes remain dominant, but non-metallic and modified electrodes show promise for improved selectivity and reduced passivation; 2) the primary removal mechanisms are anodic electro-dissolution, followed by hydrolysis and adsorption/sweeping flocculation, and kinetic behavior varies by pollutant category and reactor operation mode; 3) reactor design (A/V ratio, electrode geometry, flow regime) exerts a pronounced influence on mass transfer, energy consumption, and scale-up potential; 4) practical limitations include passivation of electrodes, energy consumption, and sludge management. The review concludes with targeted research trajectories (anti-passivation material design, standard pilot-scale test procedures, lifecycle assessments, biological and membrane system integration approaches) and outline where future work will optimally fill knowledge gaps.