Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2025

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
Removal of microplastics from wastewater through electrocoagulation-electroflotation and membrane filtration
Ceyhun Akarsu1, Halil Kumbur1, Ahmet Erkan Kideys2
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Mersin University, 33343 Yenisehir, Mersin, Turkey
Abstract:
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the major vectors of microplastics (MPs) pollution for the recipient water bodies. Therefore, the recovery of MPs from WWTPs is extremely important for decreasing their accumulation and impact in aquatic systems. In this present study, the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC/EF) and membrane filtration processes were investigated in removing MPs from wastewaters. The effectiveness of different electrode combinations (Fe-Al and Al-Fe), current density (10-20 A/m2), pH (4.0-10.0) and operating times (0-120 min) on the removal of two different polymer particles in water were investigated to obtain maximum treatment efficiency. The effect of pressure (1-3 bar) on membrane filtration removal efficiency was also investigated. The maximum removal efficiencies were obtained as 100% for both polymer types with electrode combination of Al-Fe, initial pH of 7, current density of 20 A/m2 and reaction time of 10 min. The membrane filtration method also displayed a 100% removal efficiency. In addition, these laboratory-scale results were compared with the one-year average data of a plant treating with real-scale membranes. The results indicated that the proposed processes supplied maximum removal efficiency (100%) compared to conventional secondary and tertiary treatment methods (2-81.6%) in the removal of microplastics.
More Related Videos
06:35Implementation of a Hyperbolic Vortex Plasma Reactor for the Removal of Micropollutants in Water
Published on: July 25, 2025
09:49Use of a Battery of Chemical and Ecotoxicological Methods for the Assessment of the Efficacy of Wastewater Treatment Processes to Remove Estrogenic Potency
Published on: September 11, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Coagulation
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration
Bioremediation
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration