The exploitation of bio-electrochemical system and microplastics removal: Possibilities and perspectives

Microplastic (MP) pollution has caused severe concern due to its harmful effect on human beings and ecosystems. Existing MP removal methods face many obstacles, such as high cost, high energy consumption, low efficiency, release of toxic chemicals, etc. Thus, it is crucial to find appropriate and sustainable methods to replace common MP removal approaches. Bio-electrochemical system (BES) is a sustainable clean energy technology that has been successfully applied to wastewater treatment, seawater desalination, metal removal, energy production, biosensors, etc. However, research reports on BES technology to eliminate MP pollution are limited. This paper reviews the mechanism, hazards, and common treatment methods of MP removal and discusses the application of BES systems to improve MP removal efficiency and sustainability. Firstly, the characteristics and limitations of common MP removal techniques are systematically summarized. Then, the potential application of BES technology in MP removal is explored. Furthermore, the feasibility and stability of the potential BES MP removal application are critically evalauted while recommendations for further research are proposed.