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Development and Evaluation of a Low-Cost Bio-Adsorptive Filter Insert (DrainGuard) for Stormwater Microplastic Remediation
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Researchers tested a low-cost filter called DrainGuard, made from crushed seashells and coconut fiber, designed to fit inside storm drains. In lab tests, synthetic stormwater containing tiny plastic fragments was passed through the filter, and the plastic particles were captured mainly in the upper shell-sand layer, with almost none detected in the water that passed through.
Sub-millimeter microplastics (100–300 μm) in urban stormwater runoff represent a significant, unaddressed pathway for aquatic pollution. Conventional catch basins and physical interception methods lack the retention efficiency required to capture fine polyolefin fragments during high-velocity first-flush events. This study presents DrainGuard, a modular, decentralized storm drain filter insert utilizing a stratified bio-adsorptive matrix composed of biogenic cockleshell sand and agricultural coconut coir. A 46 mm inner diameter PVC column featuring a stratified bed (4 cm upper sand / 12 cm coconut coir / 4 cm lower sand) was evaluated at a baseline hydraulic flow rate of Qbase = 800 mL/min. Synthetic stormwater spiked with post-consumer polyolefin fragments (≈0.1 g) was introduced to assess mechanical capture efficiency and retention dynamics. Optical inspection (60x zoom) confirmed particulate interception and primary retention within the upper sand layer, with near zero microplastic detection in the post-filtration effluent, all while maintaining stable fluid transmission without rapid hydraulic failure. By repurposing low-cost, abundant biogenic materials, DrainGuard provides an accessible, sustainable, and highly effective framework for localized microplastic remediation in urban stormwater drainage systems.
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Evaluation of a Modular Filter Concept to Reduce Microplastics and Other Solids from Urban Stormwater Runoff
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Researchers developed and bench-tested a modular decentralized stormwater filter system using sieves, sedimentation barriers, floating barriers, and a magnetic module, demonstrating effective retention of microplastics, tire powder, and other particulate matter across a range of rain intensities.
Improving stormwater quality for microplastic (25 – 106 µm) using a bioretention cell
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This study evaluated how a bioretention cell (a vegetated stormwater filter system) removes small microplastic particles from stormwater runoff. Bioretention systems show promise as low-cost, nature-based approaches to capturing microplastics before they enter streams and drinking water supplies.
Passive Retention of Plastic Pellets and Microplastics by Coconut Fiber in a Mangrove-Supporting Floating Island in an Urban Estuary
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Scientists found that a floating coconut-fiber structure designed to grow mangroves also trapped hundreds of plastic pieces, including tiny microplastics, from polluted urban waterways in Ecuador. This suggests cheap, natural materials could help filter plastic out of water before it spreads into rivers, oceans, and eventually our food supply.
The ability of selected filter materials in removing nutrients, metals, and microplastics from stormwater in biofilter structures
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A laboratory experiment tested several filter materials in a biofilter structure for their ability to remove nutrients, metals, total suspended solids, and microplastics from roadside stormwater. The study demonstrated that ecologically based biofilter designs can capture multiple contaminant types from urban runoff.
Analysis of Bioretention Capability in Removing Microplastic Particles from Stormwater
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This study tested the ability of bioretention systems (vegetated stormwater gardens) to remove microplastic particles from stormwater, finding effective removal across multiple particle sizes and types. Bioretention infrastructure shows promise as a practical tool for preventing microplastics from stormwater runoff from reaching rivers and coastal waters.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.