Removal of Microplastics from Wastewater

Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste damage the ecosystem by entering the environment. The smallest units of this plastic waste, i.e., microplastics, are recently emerging contaminants found in almost all major parts of the globe. The quantity of microplastic in wastewater is now unregulated, and the issue is: should it be regulated? Understanding the damage that microplastic does to the environment and the extent to which it can be removed from wastewater is necessary in order to respond to this issue. Microplastic particles, despite their small dimensions, have been shown to be detrimental for people, animals, plants, ecosystems, and the environment as a whole. One of the most significant pathways for the transportation of microplastics is water. Additionally, ingesting microplastics through consumption of water is another important route by which people develop health problems, including cancer and teratogenic and mutagenic abnormalities. Therefore, the presence of microplastics in water is a growing public health concern that must be addressed. It is crucial to look into removal methods for microplastics in wastewater. Although there are several physical, chemical, and biological methods for removing microplastics, their cost-effectiveness and broad application is yet a concern. With the goal of removing microplastics from wastewater, this chapter is an attempt to present the current status of different detection and treatment methods for identification and removal of microplastics from aqueous ecosystems.