Bioadsorbents for removal of microplastics from water ecosystems: a review
Microplastics (MPs) present a pressing environmental concern, posing formidable challenges to their effective elimination from water systems. Bioadsorbents offer a promising, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to traditional removal methods. This review analyzes 206 research papers (2016-J...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sustainable Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19397038.2024.2374003 |
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| Summary: | Microplastics (MPs) present a pressing environmental concern, posing formidable challenges to their effective elimination from water systems. Bioadsorbents offer a promising, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to traditional removal methods. This review analyzes 206 research papers (2016-January 2024) to explore recent advances in bioadsorbent design and application for microplastic removal. We examine the sources and ecological impacts of MPs, then delve into the most studied bioadsorbents: biochar (51.9%), biomass-derived activated carbon (7.4%), synthetic sponges/aerogels (25.9%), and graphene-based materials (14.8%). The review critically analyzes factors influencing MP adsorption by these materials, including MP type and size, adsorbent properties, and experimental conditions. Reported removal efficiencies ranged from 31% to 100%, with polystyrene (52%) being the most common test polymer. Finally, the intricate mechanisms of MP-bioadsorbent interaction are discussed. We highlight key challenges and future research directions for optimising and scaling up bioadsorbent-based MP removal, acknowledging the early stage of this promising and sustainable approach. |
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| ISSN: | 1939-7038 1939-7046 |