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Microplastics-biofilm interactions in biofilm-based wastewater treatment processes: A review
Summary
This review examines how microplastics interact with the beneficial biofilms used in wastewater treatment systems. Researchers found that microplastics can both disrupt biofilm function and serve as surfaces where biofilms form, creating a complex relationship that affects treatment efficiency. The study highlights the need for wastewater facilities to account for microplastic contamination when designing and operating biofilm-based treatment processes.
Microplastics, pervasive contaminants from plastic, present significant challenges to wastewater treatment processes. This review critically examines the interactions between microplastics and biofilm-based treatment technologies, specifically focusing on the concepts of "biofilm on microplastics" and "microplastics in biofilm". It discusses the implications of these interactions in contaminant removal and process performance. Advanced characterization techniques, including morphological characterization, chemical composition analysis, and bio-information analysis, are assessed to elucidate the complex interplay between microplastics and biofilms within biofilters, biological aerated filters (BAFs), rotating biological contactors (RBCs), and moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs). This review synthesizes current research findings, highlighting that microplastics can either hinder or enhance the treatment processes, contingent on their concentration, physicochemical properties, and the specific biofilm technology employed. The insights gained from this review are essential for developing strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of microplastics and for optimizing the design and operation of wastewater treatment.