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Microalgae for microplastic removal from water and wastewater: a review
Summary
Researchers reviewed the potential for microalgae to remove microplastics from water and wastewater, finding that algae can physically aggregate with plastic particles through several mechanisms — offering a potentially low-cost, biological alternative to conventional filtration methods that struggle to capture very small plastic particles.
The worldwide microplastic pollution in waters requires efficient removal techniques, yet actual wastewater treatment methods are limited. Here we review the use of microalgae for microplastic removal, with focus on microplastics in aquatic systems and wastewaters, legislation and regulations, common removal techniques, and microalgae for microplastic removal. We describe the mechanisms involved in microalgae-microplastics aggregation. We also present the criteria for selecting adequate microalgae for microplastics removal from wastewater.