Use of Different Bioreactors for the Removal of Microplastics from Wastewater

The extensive occurrence of microplastics in wastewater is an issue that poses threats to aquatic ecosystems and human well-being presently and for the future. This chapter focuses on the challenges associated with eradicating microplastics from wastewater by the secondary treatments effectiveness of bioreactor technologies in addressing this issue. Traditional approaches to wastewater treatment encounter obstacles in eliminating microplastics due to their dimensions and diverse sources, like discharges and the fragmentation of larger plastic objects. Utilizing the metabolic abilities of microorganisms for the decomposition and removal of MPs is a method, in bioreactors. It provides a comprehensive review of different bioreactor types, such as aerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2O) bioreactors, membrane bioreactors (MBR), sequencing batch reactors (SBR), anaerobic upflow sludge blanket (UASB), anaerobic fluidized bed bioreactors (AFBR), circulating fluidized bed biofilm reactors (CFBBR), and expanded granular sludge bed reactors (EGSBR). New technologies have been implemented for assessing the structure and functionality of each bioreactor in removing microplastics (MP). Recent studies and experiments investigated that the use of oxidation methods and filtration technologies, along with membrane systems, increases MP removal efficiency. The objective of this section is to enhance the advancement of environmentally friendly approaches in addressing the issue of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) pollution in the environment. This is achieved through improvements, in bioreactor technologies and the enhancement of treatment procedures.