By: Deepti Goyal and Sakshi Kabra Malpani
1 Department of Applied Chemistry, University School of Vocational Studies & Applied Sciences, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, UP, India
2 Publishing Associate, Publishing Group, Save the Water, Inc., 2321 Marina Bay Dr. W #103, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312, USA
Microplastics pollution in water bodies has emerged as a global environmental concern, posing significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to its perseverance, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. Traditional removal techniques for contaminants in water treatment include sedimentation, adsorption, and filtration, each utilizing distinct methods to separate and eliminate pollutants. Techniques adopted for microplastics removal are not efficient and cause several environmental issues. To overcome the drawbacks of such removal techniques, innovative nanomaterials with unique physio-chemical properties, such as high surface area, high activity, tunable properties, and efficient adsorption abilities are being utilized for the removal of microplastics. This review focuses on the routes of microplastics in water or aquatic environments. Health hazards of microplastics have also been reviewed. Furthermore, detection and conventional removal techniques for microplastics removal have also been discussed. Along with this, an overview of advanced nanomaterials, their synthesis, and efficacy in the removal of microplastics from water are also discussed. This review concludes with an outlook on future research directions and potential solutions for the large-scale implementation of nanomaterials in combating microplastics pollution in water ecosystems.
Keywords: Microplastics, water pollution, nanomaterials, removal technology, magnetic nanoparticles, carbon-based nanomaterials
Citation:
Refrences:
1. Gregory R, Taofeng L, Neeti G, et al. Review of microplastic pollution in the environment and emerging recycling solutions. J Renew Mater. 2019;7:1251–68.
2. Ziani K, Ioniță-Mîndrican CB, Mititelu M, et al. Microplastics: a real global threat for environment and food safety: a state of the art review. Nutrients. 2023;15(3):617.
3. Jiang JQ. Occurrence of microplastics and its pollution in the environment: a review. Sustain Prod Consum. 2018;13:16–23.
4. Cole M, Lindeque P, Halsband C, et al. Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review. Mar Pollut Bull. 2011;62(12):2588–97.
5. Eriksen M, Lebreton LC, Carson HS, et al. Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans: more than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250,000 tons afloat at sea. Plos One. 2014;9(12):111913–27.
6. Long Z, Pan Z, Wang W, et al. Microplastic abundance, characteristics, and removal in wastewater treatment plants in a coastal city of China. Water Res. 2019;155:255–65.
7. Murphy F, Ewins C, Carbonnier F, et al. Wastewater treatment works (WwTW) as a source of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Environ Sci Technol. 2016;50(11):5800–8.
8. Carr SA, Liu J, Tesoro AG. Transport and fate of microplastic particles in wastewater treatment plants. Water Res. 2016;91:174–82.
9. Sun J, Dai X, Wang Q, et al. Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: detection, occurrence and removal. Water Res. 2019;152:21–37.
10. Horton AA, Dixon SJ. Microplastics: an introduction to environmental transport processes. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Water. 2018;5(2):1268–83.
11. Shim WJ, Hong SH, Eo SE. Identification methods in microplastic analysis: a review. Anal Methods. 2017;9(9):1384–91.
12. Sun J, Dai X, Wang Q, et al. Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: detection, occurrence and removal. Water Res. 2019;152:21–37.
13. Heo NW, Hong SH, Han GM, et al. Distribution of small plastic debris in cross-section and high strandline on Heungnam beach, South Korea. Ocean Sci J. 2013;48(2):225–33.
14. Hidalgo-Ruz V, Thiel M. Distribution and abundance of small plastic debris on beaches in the SE Pacific (Chile): a study supported by a citizen science project. Mar Environ Res. 2013;87:12–18.
15. Rocha-Santos T, Armando CD. A critical overview of the analytical approaches to the occurrence, the fate and the behavior of microplastics in the environment. TrAC. 2015;65:47–53.
16. Wang W, Wang J. Investigation of microplastics in aquatic environments: an overview of the methods used, from field sampling to laboratory analysis. TrAC. 2018;108:195–202.
17. Shim WJ, Honga SH, Eo S. Identification methods in microplastic analysis: a review. Anal Methods. 2017;9:1384–91.
18. von Moos F, Burkhardt-Holm P, Köhler A. Environ Sci Technol. 2012;46:11327−35.
19. Andrady AL. The plastic in microplastics: a review. Mar Pollut Bull. 2017;119(1):12–22.
20. Kukkola A, Runkel RL, Schneidewind U. Stefan Krause Prevailing impacts of river management on microplastic transport in contrasting US streams: rethinking global microplastic flux estimations. Water Res. 2023;240:120112.
21. Sierra I, Chialanza MR, Faccio R, et al. Identification of microplastics in wastewater samples by means of polarized light optical microscopy. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2020;27(7):7409–19.
22. Schymanski D, Goldbeck C, Humpf H-U, et al. Analysis of microplastics in water by micro-Raman spectroscopy: release of plastic particles from different packaging into mineral water. Water Res. 2018;129:154–62.
23. Li J, Liu H, Chen JP. Microplastics in freshwater systems: a review on occurrence, environmental effects, and methods for microplastics detection. Water Res. 2018b;137:362–74.
24. Murphy F, Ewins C, Carbonnier F, et al. Wastewater treatment works (WwTW) as a source of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Environ Sci Technol. 2016;50(11):5800.
25. Mintenig S, Int-Veen I, Löder MG, et al. Identification of microplastic in effluents of waste water treatment plants using focal plane array-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging. Water Res. 2017;108:365–72.
26. Löder MGJ, Kuczera M, Mintenig S, et al. Focal plane array detector-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging for the analysis of microplastics in environmental samples. Environ Chem. 2015;12(5):563–81.
27. Dekiff JH, Remy D, Klasmeier J, et al. Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in sediments from Norderney. Environ Pollut. 2014;186:248–56.
28. Fries E, Dekiff JH, Willmeyer J, et al. Identification of polymer types and additives in marine microplastic particles using pyrolysis-GC/MS and scanning electron microscopy. Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2013;15(10):1949–56.
29. Hong SH, Eo SE. Identification methods in microplastic analysis: a review. Anal Methods 2017;9(9):1384–91.
30. Awet TT, Kohl Y, Meier F, et al. Effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on the microbiota and functional diversity of enzymes in soil. Environ Sci Eur. 2018;30(1):1–10.
31. Watteau F, Dignac MF, Bouchard A, et al. Microplastic detection in soil amended with municipal solid waste composts as revealed by transmission electronic microscopy and pyrolysis/GC/MS. Front Sustain Food Syst. 2018;2:81.
32. Gamarro G, Ryder E, Elvevoll J, et al. Microplastics in fish and shellfish – a threat to seafood safety? J Aquat Food Product Tech. 2020;29(4):417–25.
33. Kutralam-Muniasamy G, Pérez-Guevara F, Elizalde-MartÃnez I, et al. Review of current trends, advances and analytical challenges for microplastics contamination in Latin America. Environ Pollut. 2020;267:115463.
34. Huang W, Song B, Liang J, et al. Microplastics and associated contaminants in the aquatic environment: a review on their ecotoxicological effects, trophic transfer, and potential impacts to human health. J Hazard Mater. 2021a;405:124187.
35. Bhuyan Md. S. Effects of microplastics on fish and in human health. Front Environ Sci. Sec. Toxicol Pollut Environ. 2022;10.
36. Prata JC. Airborne microplastics: consequences to human health? Environ Pollut. 2018;234:115–126.
37. Smith M, Love DC, Rochman CM, et al. MPs in seafood and the implications for human health. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2018;5(3):375–86.
38. Wang J, Tan Z, Peng J, et al. The behaviors of MPs in the marine environment. Mar Environ Res. 2016;113:7–17.
39. Schirinzi G, Pérez-Pomeda I, SanchÃs J, et al. Cytotoxicity effects of commonly used nanomaterials and microplastics on cerebral and epithelial human cells. Environ Res. 2017;159:579–87.
40. Anbymani S, Kakkar P. Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics in biota: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2018;25(15):14373–96.
41. Fiorentino I, Gualtieri R, Barbato V, et al. Energy independent uptake and release of polystyrene nanoparticles in primary mammalian cell cultures. Exp Cell Res. 2015;330(2):240–7.
42. Prata P, da Costa J, Lopes I, et al. Environmental exposure to microplastics: an overview on possible human health effects. Sci Total Environ. 2020;702:134455.
43. Ahmed R, Hamid AK, Krebsbach SA, et al. Critical review of microplastics removal from the environment. Chemosphere. 2022;293:133557.
44. Nabi I, Bacha AU, Li K, et al. Complete photocatalytic mineralization of microplastic on TiO2 nanoparticle film. iScience. 2020;23:101326.
45. Chandra P, Enespa SD. Microplastic degradation by bacteria in aquatic ecosystem. In: Chowdhary P, Verma D, Raj A, Akhter Y, editors. Microorganisms for sustainable environment and health. Elsevier; 2020.
46. Tiwari E, Singh N, Khandelwal N, et al. Application of Zn/Al layered double hydroxides for the removal of nano-scale plastic debris from aqueous systems. J Hazard Mater. 2020;397:122769.
47. Li J, Wang B, Chen Z, et al. Ultrafiltration membrane fouling by microplastics with raw water: behaviors and alleviation methods. Chem Eng J. 2021;410:128174.
48. Li L, Xu G, Yu H, et al. Dynamic membrane for micro-particle removal in wastewater treatment: performance and influencing factors. Sci Total Environ. 2018;627:332–40.
49. Talvitie J, Mikola A, Koistinen A, et al. Solutions to microplastic pollution–removal of microplastics from wastewater effluent with advanced wastewater treatment technologies. Water Res. 2017a;123:401–7.
50. Lares M, Ncibi MC, Sillanpaa M, et al. Identification and removal of microplastic particles and fibers in conventional activated sludge process and advanced MBR technology. Water Res. 2018;133:236–46.
51. Thuhin KD, Uddin Md. E, Jamal M. Detection and removal of microplastics in wastewater: evolution and impact. Environ Sci Poll Res. 2021;28:16925–47.
52. Zhou G, Wang Q, Li J, et al. Removal of polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics using PAC and FeCl3 coagulation: performance and mechanism. Sci Total Environ. 2021;752:141837.
53. Peng B, Chen Z, Chen J, et al. Biodegradation of polylactic acid by yellow 32 mealworms (larvae of Tenebrio molitor) via resource recovery: a sustainable approach for waste management. J Hazard Mater. 2012;416:125803.
54. Rajput P Kumar P, Priya AK. Nanomaterials and biochar mediated remediation of emerging contaminants. Sci Total Environ. 2024;916:170064.
55. Bhardwaj B, Singh P, Kumar A, et al. Eco-friendly greener synthesis of nanoparticles. Adv Pharm Bull. 2020;10(4):566–76.
56. Vijayaraghavan K, Ashok KT. Plant-mediated biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles: a review of literature, factors affecting synthesis, characterization techniques and applications. J Environ Chem Eng. 2017;5(5):4866–83.
57. Nakum J, Bhattacharya D. Various green nanomaterials used for wastewater and soil treatment: a mini-review. Front Environ Sci. 2022;9:724814.
58. Hairom NHH, Soon CF, Saphira RM, et al. A review of nanotechnological applications to detect and control surface water pollution. Environ Tech Innov. 2021;24(3):102032.
59. Jain M, Khan SA, Pandey A. Instructive analysis of engineered carbon materials for potential application in water and wastewater treatment. Sci Total Environ. 2021:93:148583.
60. Abid N, Khan AM, Shujait S. Synthesis of nanomaterials using various top-down and bottom-up approaches, influencing factors, advantages, and disadvantages: a review. Adv Colloid Inter Sci. 2022;300:102597.
61. Tang KHD, Hadibarata T. Microplastics removal through water treatment plants: its feasibility, efficiency, future prospects and enhancement by proper waste management. Environ Challenges. 2021;5:100264.
62. RodrÃguez-Narvaez OM, Goonetilleke A, Perez L, et al. Engineered technologies for the separation and degradation of microplastics in water: a review. Chem Eng J. 2021;414:128692.
63. Goh PS, Kang HS, Ismail AF, et al. Nanomaterials for microplastic remediation from aquatic environment: why nano matters? 2022;299:134418.
64. Ahmed R, Hamid AK, Krebsbach SA, et al. Critical review of microplastics removal from the environment. Chemosphere. 2022;293:133557.
65. Palliyarayil A, Borah RK, Vernekar AA. Magnetic peroxidase nanozyme gears up for microplastic removal and deconstruction. Chem Methods. 2023;10(3):e202300012.
66. Budhiraja V, Music B, Kezan A. Magnetic extraction of weathered tire wear particles and polyethylene microplastics. Polymers. 2022;14(23):5189.
67. Shi X, Zhang X, Gao W, et al. Removal of microplastics from water by magnetic nano-Fe3O4. Sci Total Environ. 2022;802:149838.
68. Kaykhaii M, Sasani M, Marghzari S. Removal of dyes from the environment by adsorption process. Chem Mater Eng. 2018;6(2):31–5.
69. Chen Z, Fang J, Wei W, et al. Emerging adsorbents for micro/nanoplastics removal from contaminated water: advances and perspectives. J Clean Prod. 2022;371:133676.
70. Siipola V, Romar H, Lassi U. Microplastic removal from water and wastewater by carbon-supported materials. In: Mohan D, Pittman CU, Mlsna TE, editors. Sustainable biochar for water and wastewater treatment. Elsevier; 2022. pp. 361–93.
71. Zheng H, Chen Q, Chen Z. Carbon-based adsorbents for micro/nano-plastics removal: current advances and perspectives. Water Emerg Contam Nanoplastics. 2024;3:11.
72. Wan H, Wang J, Sheng X, et al. Removal of polystyrene microplastics from aqueous solution using the metal–organic framework material of ZIF-67. Toxics. 2022;10(2):70.
73. Dang M-HD, Navale ST, Yang DH, et al. Sulfate-functionalized hafnium-organic frameworks as a highly effective chemiresistive sensor for low-temperature detection of hazardous NH3 gas. Sens Actuators B Chem. 2022;367:132094.
74. Nguyen DT, Nguyen LDT, Pham QT, et al. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as an efficient platform for potential curcumin-based on/of fluorescent chemosensor. Micropor Mesopor Mat. 2021;327:111445.
75. Lee J-H, Nguyen TTT, Nguyen LHT, et al. Functionalization of zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks for gas sensing applications. J Hazard Mater. 2021;403:124104.
76. Yang DH, Nguyen TTT, Navale ST, et al. Novel amine-functionalized zinc-based metal–organic framework for low-temperature chemiresistive hydrogen sensing. Sens Actuators B Chem. 2022;368:132120.
77. Nguyen TTT, Le BQG, Dang M-HD, et al. Facile synthesis of novel fluorescent organosilica-coated MOF nanoparticles for fast curcumin adsorption. Micropor Mesopor Mat. 2022:338:111944.
78. Sajid M, Nanomaterials: types, properties, recent advances, and toxicity concerns. Curr Opin Environ Sci Health. 2022;25:100319.
79. Chen Y-J, Chen Y, Miao C, et al. Metal–organic framework-based foams for efficient microplastics removal. J Mater Chem A. 2020;8(29):14644–52.
80. Golgoli M, Farahbakhsh J, Asif AH, et al. Harnessing the power of metal–organic frameworks to develop microplastic fouling resistant forward osmosis membranes. J Membr Sci. 2023;682:121766.
81. Zhang Y, Jiang H, Bian K, et al. A critical review of control and removal strategies for microplastics from aquatic environments. J Environ Chem Eng. 2021;9(4):105463.
82. Zhang Y, Jiang H, Bian K, et al. A critical review of control and removal strategies for microplastics from aquatic environments. J Environ Chem Eng. 2012;9(4):105463.
83. Zhou D, Chen J, Wu J, et al. Sustainable materials and technologies, biodegradation and catalytic-chemical degradation strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution. SM&T. 2012;28:e00251.
84. Kiendrebeogo M, Karimi Estahbanati MR, Mostafazadeh AK, et al. Treatment of microplastics in water by anodic oxidation: a case study for polystyrene. Environ Poll. 2021;269:116168.
85. Chen Z, Wei W, Liu X, et al. Emerging electrochemical techniques for identifying and removing micro/nanoplastics in urban waters. Water Res. 2022;221:118846.