Recent advances on micro/nanoplastic pollution and membrane fouling during water treatment: A review

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-07, Vol.881, p.163467-163467, Article 163467
• Main Authors: Shen, Maocai, Zhao, Yifei, Liu, Shiwei, Hu, Tong, Zheng, Kaixuan, Wang, Yulai, Lian, Jianjun, Meng, Guanhua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Control strategy; Membrane separation; Membrane treatment; Microplastics; Removal
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163467

Effluent from sewage treatment plant, as an important source of microplastics (MPs) in receiving water, has attracted extensive attention. Membrane separation process shows good microplastic removal performance in the existing tertiary water treatment process. Problematically, membrane fouling and insufficient removal of small organic molecules are still the key obstacles to its further extensive application. Dissolved organics, extracellular polymers and suspended particles in the influent are deposited on the membrane surface and internal structure, reducing the number and pore diameter of effective membrane aperture, and increasing the resistance of membrane filtration. Exploring the mechanism and approach of membrane fouling caused by micro/nanoplastics is the key to alleviate fouling and allow membranes to operate longer. In this paper, removal performance of micro/nanoplastics by current membrane filtration and the contribution to membrane fouling during water treatment are thoroughly reviewed. The coupling mechanisms between micro/nanoplastics and other pollutants and mechanism of membrane fouling caused by composite micro/nanoplastics are discussed. Additionally, on this basis, the prospect of combined process for micro/nanoplastic removal and membrane fouling prevention is also proposed and discussed, which provides a valuable reference for the preferential removal of micro/nanoplastics and development of antifouling membrane. [Display omitted] •MP removal efficiency by membrane separation is thoroughly reviewed.•Mechanisms and approaches of membrane fouling caused by MPs are explored.•Presence of MPs affects activity and community structure of microorganisms.•Membrane fouling control strategies are discussed in detail.•Prospect of combined process for MP removal and fouling prevention is proposed.