Microplastics in the environment: Occurrence, perils, and eradication
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) with sizes < 5 mm are found in various compositions, shapes, morphologies, and textures that are the major sources of environmental pollution. The fraction of MPs in total weight of plastic accumulation around the world is predicted to be 13.2% by 2060. These micron-sized MPs are hazardous to marine species, birds, animals, soil creatures and humans due to their occurrence in air, water, soil, indoor dust and food items. The present review covers discussions on the damaging effects of MPs on the environment and their removal techniques including biodegradation, adsorption, catalytic, photocatalytic degradation, coagulation, filtration and electro-coagulation. The main techniques used to analyze the structural and surface changes such as cracks, holes and erosion post the degradation processes are FTIR and SEM analysis. In addition, reduction in plastic molecular weight by the microbes implies disintegration of MPs. Adsorptive removal by the magnetic adsorbent promises complete elimination while the biodegradable catalysts could remove 70-100% of MPs. Catalytic degradation via advanced oxidation assisted by S O 4 • - or O H • radicals generated by peroxymonosulfate or sodium sulfate are also adequately covered in addition to photocatalysis. The chemical methods such as sol-gel, agglomeration, and coagulation in conjunction with other physical methods are discussed concerning the drinking water/wastewater/sludge treatments. The efficacy, merits and demerits…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Green Chemistry: A Framework for a Sustainable Future
- Nano/micro-plastic, an invisible threat getting into the brain
- Emerging contaminants antibiotic resistance genes and microplastics in the environment: Introduction to 21 review articles published in CREST during 2018–2022
- Water Resources and Sustainable Development
- Nano- and microplastics in the workplace
- Water Enclosure and World-Literature: New Perspectives on Hydro-Power and World-Ecology
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.