Microplastics in the environment: Occurrence, perils, and eradication

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Microplastics (MPs) (< 5 mm) are pervasive pollutants with diverse characteristics.
• MPs pose significant environmental and health risks, contaminating air, water, soil, and food.
• Plastic accumulation is projected to reach 13.2% of global plastic weight by 2060.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the detrimental effects of microplastics on the environment.
• To comprehensively discuss current and emerging microplastic removal techniques.
• To evaluate the efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages of various remediation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on microplastic pollution and removal.
• Analysis of degradation techniques: biodegradation, adsorption, catalytic, photocatalytic, coagulation, filtration, and electro-coagulation.
• Examination of analytical methods (FTIR, SEM) for assessing degradation.

Main Results:

• Biodegradable catalysts can remove 70-100% of MPs.
• Magnetic adsorbents show potential for complete microplastic elimination.
• Advanced oxidation processes using sulfate and hydroxyl radicals are effective.
• Physical and chemical methods (coagulation, filtration) are applied in water/wastewater treatment.

Conclusions:

• Current microplastic removal techniques vary in efficacy, with magnetic adsorption and biodegradation showing high potential.
• Further development of sophisticated technologies is crucial for complete microplastic mitigation.
• A comparative understanding of removal methods is essential for effective environmental management.