Advanced Oxidation Processes for Degrading Microplastics in Aqueous Media

Over the last two decades, microplastics (MPs) have garnered considerable attention as pollutants of emerging concern due to their potential ecological risks, especially in natural effluents. Persistent and toxic, MPs pose threats to human health as well as that of aquatic flora and fauna. Minimizing the transfer of MPs to the environment and the food chain is crucial. Conventional methods of degradation/removal of MPs (e.g., coagulation, flocculation, and membrane filtration) are complicated due to MPs’ structural complexity and hydrophobicity, which can result in prolonged treatment times. They are also non-destructive and often merely relocate MPs, necessitating further degradation steps. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have recently emerged as a promising treatment technique for the decomposition of long chains of macromolecular plastics into simpler byproducts and/or value-added products. This chapter explores AOPs as a viable and environmentally friendly alternative for degrading MPs in aqueous media. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of developing integrated remediation ecotechnologies that align with waste management and circular economy principles to effectively reduce environmental MPs.