Chemical methods to remove microplastics from wastewater: A review

Baihui Cui; Hongwei Rong; Tingting Tian; Dabin Guo; Luchun Duan; François Nkinahamira; Pamphile Ndagijimana; Wangwang Yan; Ravi Naidu

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2024.118416

Chemical methods to remove microplastics from wastewater: A review

Environ Res. 2024 Feb 3:249:118416. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118416. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Baihui Cui¹, Hongwei Rong², Tingting Tian², Dabin Guo², Luchun Duan³, François Nkinahamira², Pamphile Ndagijimana², Wangwang Yan⁴, Ravi Naidu³

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Guangdong, 518107, China; School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
² School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
³ Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), College of Science, Engineering and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (crcCARE), University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Guangdong, 518107, China. Electronic address: yanww5@mail.sysu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38316391
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118416

Abstract

Microplastics (Mps) have emerged as a pervasive environmental concern, with their presence detected not only in freshwater ecosystems but also in drinking and bottled water sources. While extensive research has centered on understanding the origins, migration patterns, detection techniques, and ecotoxicological impacts of these contaminants, there remains a notable research gap about the strategies for Mps removal. This study reviews existing literature on chemical approaches for mitigating microplastic contamination within wastewater systems, focusing on coagulation precipitation, electrocoagulation, and advanced oxidation methods. Each approach is systematically explored, encompassing their respective mechanisms and operational dynamics. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of these three techniques elucidates their strengths and limitations in the context of MPs removal. By shedding light on the intricate mechanisms underlying these removal methods, this review contributes to the theoretical foundation of microplastic elimination from wastewater and identifies future research trajectories and potential challenges.

Keywords: Advanced oxidation; Coagulation precipitation; Electrocoagulation; Microplastics; Wastewater.

Publication types

Review