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Oxidative degradation of microplastics in aquatic systems: Environmental fate, toxicological concerns, and sustainable treatment strategies
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Microplastics—tiny plastic particles that end up in our water and food—are a growing health concern, and this review looks at promising cleanup methods called "advanced oxidation processes" that use chemicals, light, or ozone to break plastics down before they reach us. Some lab tests show these methods can remove over 90% of microplastics from water, though scientists still need to work out issues like high energy costs and the possibility of creating new harmful byproducts. The bottom line: while we're not there yet, researchers are making real progress toward technologies that could one day significantly reduce microplastic contamination in our drinking water and environment.
Microplastics (MPs) pose significant environmental and health threats, ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems globally. Originating from both primary industrial sources and the breakdown of larger plastics, MPs accumulate in marine environments, impacting organisms through ingestion and bioaccumulation of toxins. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), such as ozonation, photocatalysis, and Fenton's reagent, have emerged as potential solutions for MP degradation. This review synthesizes current research, emphasizing recent findings and advancements in AOPs' efficacy for MP removal. Recent studies demonstrate notable results with modified Fenton and ozone-based processes achieving over 90 % removal efficiencies in laboratory conditions. Photocatalysis under UV irradiation has shown variable success, with visible light catalysis achieving up to 65 % degradation of polypropylene microplastics. Additionally, studies utilizing TiO 2 and TiO 2 /C composites have reported significant degradation percentages for various MP types. However, challenges including high energy consumption and potential byproduct formation necessitate further optimization for practical application. The review also addresses the matrix effect, where water composition influences AOP efficiency by interacting with reactive species. Strategies to mitigate these effects include optimizing process parameters and exploring hybrid treatment systems. In addition to technological advancements, the review highlights ongoing research into biodegradable materials and alternative technologies to mitigate MP pollution comprehensively. The synthesis underscores the need for integrated approaches, policy support, and continued innovation to achieve sustainable solutions.
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Advanced oxidation process as a promising approach for microplastic degradation
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This review paper looks at emerging water-treatment technologies that use reactive chemicals (sometimes called "advanced oxidation processes") to actually break down microplastics, rather than just filtering them out. Since microplastics from water and food are increasingly linked to health concerns, these methods offer hope for more thoroughly removing them from drinking water—though the review notes that no single technique works for all plastic types, and scaling these methods up affordably remains a challenge, along with making sure the breakdown products aren't harmful themselves.
Advanced oxidation processes for the elimination of microplastics from aqueous systems: Assessment of efficiency, perspectives and limitations
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This review evaluates advanced oxidation processes as a strategy for breaking down microplastics in water systems, comparing techniques such as photocatalysis, Fenton reactions, and ozonation. Researchers found that while these methods show promise for degrading microplastics into smaller, less harmful molecules, challenges remain in scaling them for practical use. The study identifies key limitations and suggests directions for making these technologies more efficient and applicable to real-world water treatment.
Microplastics Degradation in Water: A Review of Advanced Oxidative Processes and Ozonation for Effective Treatment
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This review examines advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) and ozonation as emerging technologies for degrading microplastics in drinking water and aquatic environments, covering both identification and quantification methods alongside treatment efficacy. The authors assess the challenges and capabilities of these approaches in addressing the growing concern over microplastic contamination in water supplies.
Degradation of microplastic in water by advanced oxidation processes
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This review covers advanced methods for breaking down microplastics in water using powerful chemical reactions and light-activated catalysts that can degrade plastic particles into less harmful substances. Developing effective ways to destroy microplastics in water is critical for human health because conventional water treatment plants do not fully remove these particles from drinking water sources.
Ozone-mediated breakdown of microplastics in aqueous environments
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Researchers examined how ozone-based advanced oxidation processes break down microplastics in water treatment settings. They found that while ozone can degrade certain plastics, the effectiveness varies depending on particle size, polymer type, and treatment conditions, and the process may generate nanoplastic byproducts. The study highlights both the promise and limitations of ozone treatment as a strategy for removing microplastics from wastewater.
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