Microplastics removal strategies: A step toward finding the solution

Highlights

• Physical, chemical and biological methods are explored for MPs removal.

• Physical methods based on adsorption/filtration are mostly used for MPs removal.

• Chemical methods of MPs removal work on coagulation and flocculation mechanism.

• MBR technology has also shown the removal of MPs from water.

• Global policy on plastic control is lacking.

Abstract

Microplastics are an emerging threat and a big challenge for the environment. The presence of microplastics (MPs) in water is life-threatening to diverse organisms of aquatic ecosystems. Hence, the scientific community is exploring deeper to find treatment and removal options of MPs. Various physical, chemical and biological methods are researched for MPs removal, among which few have shown good efficiency in the laboratory. These methods also have a few limitations in environmental conditions. Other than finding a suitable method, the creation of legal restrictions at a governmental level by imposing policies against MPs is still a daunting task in many countries. This review is an effort to place all effectual MP removal methods in one document to compare the mechanisms, efficiency, advantages, and disadvantages and find the best solution. Further, it also discusses the policies and regulations available in different countries to design an effective global policy. Efforts are also made to discuss the research gaps, recent advancements, and insights in the field.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Aquatic / Coagulation / Microplastics / Plastic / Water Treatment Plant / Wastewater

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Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to Mr. Austin Donnelly Evans (Tampere University, Finland) for our help in polishing the manuscript. We also acknowledge the helpful suggestions from Dr. Vipul Sharma (Tampere University) during the revision of the manuscript.

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