Microplastics Degradation and Remediation Techniques

Microplastics, minute plastic particles with a diameter of 0.1 µm to 5 mm are becoming a menace to humans and the environment due to their mammoth use and widespread distribution, causing potential negative impacts on ecosystems and human health hazards. The long-term persistence of microplastics in the environment poses a significant challenge and requires effective degradation and remediation techniques to mitigate its adverse effects. This chapter covers the many remediation techniques being employed to deal with this growing issue and the knowledge of microplastic deterioration. Microplastics can be degraded by both biological and physical processes. Due to the size and scale of the microplastic pollution, natural degradation processes such as UV light, temperature fluctuations, hydrolysis, and microbial activity are less effective. As a result, many artificial degradation techniques have been created, including enzymatic degradation and photodegradation. There have been promising developments in the breakdown of microplastics, but implementing these techniques on a large scale and in real-world scenarios remains challenging. The primary objective of microplastic remediation strategies is to remove these pollutants from various environmental compartments such as water bodies, sediments, and soils. Conventional methods like filtration, sedimentation, and flotation have been used to physically extract microplastics from water sources. Advanced technologies like electrocoagulation, membrane filtration, and adsorption onto specialized sorbents show improved efficiency and selectivity. However, each remediation strategy has its own limitations and feasibility issues that need further research and optimization for practical application. It is also crucial to ensure that these remediation techniques do not introduce additional threats to the environment as byproducts. This chapter emphasizes the significance of ongoing research and innovation in microplastic degradation and remediation procedures in terms of their efficacy. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for developing comprehensive solutions to address microplastic contamination while protecting ecosystems and human well-being.