Biotreatment strategies for the removal of microplastics from freshwater systems. A review

Research on plastic pollution has recently evidenced the ubiquitous presence of tiny plastic particles called microplastics. Microplastics alter organisms because microplastics tend to bioaccumulate, they contain hazardous additives, and they carry other contaminants and pathogens adsorbed on their...

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Published in:Environmental chemistry letters 2022-04, Vol.20 (2), p.1377-1402
Main Authors: Miloloža, Martina, Cvetnić, Matija, Kučić Grgić, Dajana, Ocelić Bulatović, Vesna, Ukić, Šime, Rogošić, Marko, Dionysiou, Dionysios Dion, Kušić, Hrvoje, Bolanča, Tomislav
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Additives
Algae
Analytical Chemistry
Bioaccumulation
Biodegradability
Biodegradation
Contaminants
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecotoxicology
Environment
Environmental Chemistry
Freshwater
Geochemistry
Inland water environment
Membrane filtration
Methods
Microorganisms
Microplastics
Pathogens
Plastic debris
Plastic pollution
Plastics
Pollution
Polyethylene
Polyethylene terephthalate
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene resins
Polyvinyl chloride
Review
Yeasts
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Summary:Research on plastic pollution has recently evidenced the ubiquitous presence of tiny plastic particles called microplastics. Microplastics alter organisms because microplastics tend to bioaccumulate, they contain hazardous additives, and they carry other contaminants and pathogens adsorbed on their surface. Here, we review the biodegradation of the five most common microplastics: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene. Despite the fact that most plastics are hardly biodegradable, biodegradation is still a popular remediation techniques because it is highly economical and environmentally friendly. Biodegradation can be done applying single or combined bio-cultures such as bacteria, mold, yeast, and algae. We present analytical and microbiological methods used for monitoring microplastic biodegradation. Actually, no microbial method removes completely microplastics from the environment within a reasonable time interval. As a consequence, the last developments combine biodegradation with other methods such as membrane filtration.
ISSN:1610-3653
1610-3661
DOI:10.1007/s10311-021-01370-0