We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Development of functional materials for the microplastics removal and treatment in surface water
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists created an affordable, eco-friendly water treatment system using recycled aluminum cans and fruit peel waste (turned into a charcoal-like material called biochar) to filter out microplastics from water. When used together in three steps, this combo removed 100% of the tiny plastic particles tested, which matters because microplastics in our water supply are a growing concern for contaminating what we drink and potentially affecting our health. While this was tested in a lab setting rather than real-world water systems, it offers a promising, low-cost blueprint for cleaner drinking water in the future.
Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are persistent emerging contaminants increasingly detected in aquatic environments and pose potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Conventional single-stage removal technologies may be limited by their treatment efficiency and operational costs. This study aimed to develop a sustainable integrated approach for MP removal by combining aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH) coagulation, polyacrylamide (PAM) flocculation, and column adsorption using phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 )-activated biochar derived from Spondias dulcis peel waste. ACH was synthesized from waste aluminum cans and characterized according to SNI 3822:2018. Biochar was produced by pyrolysis followed by H 3 PO 4 activation and characterized based on SNI 06-3730-1995 and others instrumental analysis. Synthetic MPs such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PS were used as model contaminants. The treatment performance was evaluated sequentially through coagulation, flocculation, and biochar-column adsorption. The synthesized ACH and biochar met most specified quality parameters. The PAM-assisted flocculation achieved 96–99 % MP removal, while the biochar column achieved complete removal (100 %), with MP penetration limited to 2–4 cm of the bed depth. Sequential application of the three treatment stages resulted in 100 % MP removal, indicating synergistic contributions from physical entrapment, electrostatic attraction, and hydrophobic interactions. Further research should optimize ACH synthesis and biochar activation to improve material quality and adsorption performance.
More Papers Like This
Removal of polystyrene microplastics using biochar-based continuous flow fixed-bed column
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists built a water filtration column using biochar made from banana peels that removed up to 92% of polystyrene microplastics from flowing water. The system works through a combination of adsorption, filtration, and the natural water-repelling interaction between the biochar and plastic particles. This low-cost approach using agricultural waste could offer a practical solution for removing microplastics from water in communities that lack advanced treatment infrastructure.
Engineered biochar for microplastic remediation in aquatic environments: Interfacial mechanisms, modification strategies, and future perspectives
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Rice Husk Biochar Filtration for Microplastic Removal from Raw Water at a Drinking-Water Depot in Aceh Besar, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles too small to catch with normal water treatment are turning up in drinking water, especially from small local water refill stations. This study found that filtering water through biochar made from burnt rice husks, a cheap, plant-based material, can effectively strip out these microplastics before the water reaches your glass. It's a promising, low-cost solution that could help reduce your exposure to microplastics without requiring expensive treatment upgrades.
Biochar applications in microplastic and nanoplastic removal: mechanisms and integrated approaches
AI summary Read the abstract
This review explores how biochar, a charcoal-like material made from organic waste, can be used to filter microplastics and nanoplastics out of water. Researchers found that biochar works through several mechanisms and becomes even more effective when combined with other water treatment technologies. The study suggests biochar-based approaches could be a practical, low-cost strategy for tackling plastic pollution in water systems.
Engineered biochar as a powerful tool for microplastics removal from wastewater: a critical review
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles that can end up in our water and food, are hard to filter out of wastewater, which is a growing concern for both the environment and human health. This review pulls together existing research showing that "engineered biochar" (charcoal-like material made from cheap, natural sources and specially treated to trap more pollutants) works much better than plain charcoal at soaking up microplastics from water. While more research is needed, this suggests an affordable, eco-friendly way to help keep microplastics out of our water supply before they reach us.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.