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Protocol for a systematic review on mechanisms, influencing factors and performance on biochar and activated carbon for micro and nanoplastic removal in aqueous systems
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Tiny plastic bits called microplastics and nanoplastics are turning up in our water and could pose risks to our health, so scientists are looking for practical ways to filter them out. This study is a planned review (not new lab data) that will pull together existing research on two charcoal-like materials—biochar and activated carbon—to figure out how well they trap these plastic particles and what conditions make them work best. The findings could help guide the development of cheaper, more effective water filters to reduce our exposure to microplastics in drinking water.
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) have emerged as contaminants of global concern due to their widespread occurrence in aquatic environments and their potential ecological and human health impacts. The development of efficient and sustainable technologies for MNP removal from water has therefore become a major research priority. Among the available treatment approaches, biochar and activated carbon have gained considerable attention because of their high adsorption capacity, surface functionality, cost-effectiveness, and potential for environmental sustainability. Although numerous experimental studies have investigated the removal of microplastics and nanoplastics using biochar- and activated carbon-based materials, the available evidence remains fragmented. Variability in feedstock sources, production conditions, activation methods, physicochemical properties of adsorbents, characteristics of plastic particles, and operational parameters has led to inconsistent findings regarding removal performance and underlying mechanisms. The aim of this systematic review is to comprehensively synthesize and critically evaluate the current evidence on the mechanisms, influencing factors, and removal performance of biochar and activated carbon for microplastic and nanoplastic remediation in aqueous systems. Specifically, the review will (1) identify the dominant adsorption and retention mechanisms involved in MNP removal; (2) assess the influence of material properties, environmental conditions, and operational parameters on removal efficiency; and (3) compare the performance of different biochar and activated carbon materials across laboratory and pilot-scale studies. A systematic search will be conducted in major scientific databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and other relevant sources. Eligible studies will be screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction will focus on adsorbent characteristics, experimental conditions, removal efficiencies, mechanisms of interaction, and factors affecting performance. The methodological quality of included studies will also be assessed using an appropriate risk-of-bias framework for environmental research. The expected outcome of this review is to provide a comprehensive evidence base that clarifies the effectiveness of biochar and activated carbon technologies for MNP removal, identifies key factors governing treatment performance, highlights current knowledge gaps, and supports future research and practical implementation of sustainable water treatment strategies.
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This review examines how biochar, a charcoal-like material made from organic waste, can be used to remove micro and nanoplastics from contaminated water. Biochar is an affordable and sustainable option that absorbs plastic particles, though the technology is still in early stages. Better water purification methods like this could help reduce the amount of microplastics that end up in drinking water and the human body.
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Tiny plastic particles are showing up everywhere in our water, and current treatment plants can only filter out 40-78% of them, meaning the rest ends up in our environment and potentially our bodies. This review paper highlights biochar—a charcoal-like material made from plant waste—as a cheap, eco-friendly filter that can be specially engineered to capture up to 99% of microplastics from water. While promising, scientists still need to standardize these methods and test them at larger scales before this becomes a widespread solution for cleaner drinking water.
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This review covers the different materials scientists are developing to filter microplastics out of water, including biochar, activated carbon, sponges, carbon nanotubes, and newer hybrid materials. Each material has trade-offs in terms of cost, effectiveness, and environmental impact, but combining different approaches shows the most promise. The research is important because better water filtration methods could directly reduce the amount of microplastics people consume through drinking water.
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