We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Advances and Prospects of Modified Activated Carbon-Based Slow Sand Filtration for Microplastic Removal
Summary
This review examines how integrating modified activated carbon into slow sand filtration systems can improve the removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from water. The study suggests that combining these approaches enhances filtration performance while maintaining the low-energy and ecologically compatible advantages of slow sand filtration.
With the increasing prevalence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in global aquatic environments, their potential ecotoxicological and health impacts have become a major concern in environmental science. Slow sand filtration (SSF) is widely recognized for its low energy demand, ecological compatibility, and operational stability; however, its efficiency in removing small or neutrally buoyant MPs remains limited. In recent years, integrating modified activated carbon (MAC) into SSF systems has emerged as a promising approach to enhance MP removal. This review comprehensively summarizes the design principles, adsorption and bio-synergistic mechanisms, influencing factors, and recent advancements in MAC-SSF systems. The results indicate that surface modification of activated carbon—through controlled pore distribution, functional group regulation, and hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance—significantly enhances the adsorption and interfacial binding of MPs. Furthermore, the coupling between MAC and biofilm facilitates a multi-mechanistic removal process involving electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interaction, physical entrapment, and biodegradation. In addition, this review discusses the operational stability, regeneration performance, and environmental sustainability of MAC-SSF systems, emphasizing the need for future research on green and low-cost modification strategies, interfacial mechanism elucidation, microbial community regulation, and life-cycle assessment. Overall, MAC-SSF technology provides an efficient, economical, and sustainable pathway for microplastic control, offering valuable implications for a safe water supply and aquatic ecosystem protection in the future.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Investigations and comparison of a conventional sand filter and a modified sand filter for water purification.
This study compared the performance of conventional sand filters and modified sand filters for purifying drinking water. Improving the efficiency of sand filtration is relevant to microplastics research since enhanced sand filters have shown potential for removing microplastic particles from drinking water supplies.
Rapid Sand Filtration Technique for Remediation of Microplastics
Researchers tested rapid sand filtration as a technique for removing microplastics from water, evaluating particle removal efficiency across different plastic sizes, shapes, and filter media. The technique achieved meaningful microplastic reduction and was proposed as a practical water treatment enhancement.
Application of carbon-based adsorbents in the remediation of micro- and nanoplastics
This review summarizes how carbon-based materials like activated carbon, biochar, and carbon nanotubes can be used to remove micro and nanoplastics from water through adsorption. These materials are attractive because they are low-cost, eco-friendly, and can be modified to improve their plastic-capturing ability. Better water filtration materials could help reduce the amount of microplastics that reach people through drinking water and food preparation.
Trends in the applications of biochar for the abatement of microplastics in water
This review examines how biochar can be used to remove microplastics and nanoplastics from water, summarizing recent advances in biochar modification strategies that improve adsorption capacity and minimize secondary pollution risks.
Transport and retention of laundry microplastic fibres in slow sand filtration systems
Slow sand filtration — one of the most energy-efficient water treatment methods — was tested for its ability to remove laundry-derived microplastic fibers from washing machine effluent, with results showing 92–95% removal at the lowest flow rate tested. Fine sand filters slightly outperformed coarse sand, and the top layer of the filter did most of the work. Given that laundry wastewater is a major source of microplastic fiber pollution entering waterways, these results support slow sand filtration as a practical, low-cost add-on treatment to prevent fiber release.