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Microplastics in the Environment: Occurrence, Perils, and Eradication
Citation:
Sharma, S., S. Basu, N. P. Shetti, M. Nadagouda, AND T. M. Aminabhavi. Microplastics in the Environment: Occurrence, Perils, and Eradication. Chemical Engineering Journal. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, 408:127317, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.127317
Impact/Purpose:
Micro plastics(MPs) are the particles of synthetic organic polymers with the sizes of < 5mm have emerged as dangerous pollutants since the first reports published in the seventies. The present review covers discussions on the environmental degradation of MPs, including biodegradation, adsorption, catalytic and photocatalytic degradation, electro-coagulation, etc.
Description:
Microplastics (MPs) in various compositions, shapes, morphologies, and textures (size < 5mm) are significant sources of environmental pollution all around the world. A fraction of MPs in the total weight of plastic accumulation in the world is estimated at13.2% by 2060. These micron-sized MPs are hazardous not only to humans but also to marine species, birds, animals, and soil creatures due to their occurrence in air, indoor dust, water, soil, food items, etc. The present review covers discussions on the environmental degradation of MPs, including biodegradation, adsorption, catalytic and photocatalytic degradation, electro-coagulation, etc. FTIR and SEM analysis are the main techniques used to analyze structural and surface changes such as cracks, holes, and erosion post the degradation processes. Reduction in plastic molecular weight by the microbes apart from FTIR and SEM analysis implies their disintegration along with the use of adsorptive techniques using magnetic adsorbents since biodegradable catalysts could remove 70-100% of the MPs. Catalytic degradation via advanced oxidation assisted bySO4•− or OH• generated byperoxymono sulfate, 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 discussed concerning drinking water/wastewater/sludge treatments. Efficacy, merits, and demerits of the methods used for plastics degradation considered to understand the damaging effects of prolonged exposure of MPs in the environment.
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DOI: Microplastics in the Environment: Occurrence, Perils, and Eradication
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