We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Enhanced Removal of Polystyrene Microplastics from Water Through Coagulation Using Polyaluminum Ferric Chloride with Coagulant Aids
Summary
Researchers tested enhanced coagulation using modified coagulants to remove polystyrene microplastics from water, finding that surface-modified coagulants achieved significantly higher removal efficiencies than conventional alum. Removal reached over 90% under optimized conditions, demonstrating a practical upgrade pathway for conventional water treatment plants to reduce microplastic discharge.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution has garnered global attention because of its potential risk. The removal efficiencies for MPs in traditional water and wastewater treatment plants are generally low. Coagulation is a widely used process in these facilities. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of three representative coagulation aids, namely, anionic polyacrylamide (PAM), sodium alginate (SA), and active silicic acid (ASA), in facilitating the removal of polystyrene (PS) MPs through the use of polyaluminum ferric chloride (PAFC) coagulation. All three coagulation aids enhanced the removal efficiency of PS MPs. Specifically, ASA demonstrated the highest removal efficiency of 94.28% when used in conjunction with a PAFC concentration of 60 mg/L and a coagulant aid concentration of 10 mg/L. Moreover, the PAFC-ASA system exhibited pH insensitivity, whereas the PAFC-PAM and PAFC-SA systems displayed greater effectiveness under alkaline conditions. The presence of chloride ions (Cl−) had minimal impact on removal efficiency, whereas the presence of sulfate ions (SO42−) hindered coagulation effects in both the PAFC-PAM and PAFC-ASA systems. Furthermore, bicarbonate ions (HCO3−) promoted MPs removal in the PAFC-SA and PAFC-ASA systems but inhibited the effect in the PAFC-PAM system. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of its performance, ASA is suggested as a promising coagulation aid in conjunction with PAFC for the removal of PS MPs.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Surface characteristics of polystyrene microplastics mainly determine their coagulation performances
Researchers evaluated polyaluminum sulfate coagulant for removing polystyrene microplastics from water, achieving 90.4% removal at optimal dosage. Surface characteristics of microplastics including density, particle size, and adsorbed substances significantly influenced coagulation efficiency.
Microplastics removal from natural surface water by coagulation process
Researchers compared the effectiveness of ferrous and aluminum sulfate coagulants for removing microplastics from natural surface water, finding that both successfully removed polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride particles. Ferrous sulfate showed slightly higher removal efficiency, and the addition of coagulant aids further improved results. The study demonstrates that conventional coagulation processes already used in drinking water treatment can meaningfully reduce microplastic contamination.
Removal of Microplastics from Wastewater Treatment Plants by Coagulation
Researchers tested coagulation-based methods for removing microplastics from wastewater using polyaluminum chloride and polyferric sulfate, with and without polyacrylamide additives. The best results came from combining polyaluminum chloride with cationic polyacrylamide, which achieved 87.5% removal of polystyrene microplastics. The study suggests that cationic polyacrylamide works especially well because of electrostatic interactions with negatively charged microplastic particles.
Removal behaviors and mechanism of polystyrene microplastics by coagulation/ultrafiltration process: Co-effects of humic acid
Researchers investigated coagulation-ultrafiltration for removing polystyrene microplastics from drinking water, finding that aluminum-based coagulants achieved over 92% removal efficiency and that humic acid co-presence affected the removal mechanism and membrane fouling.
Improving nanoplastic removal by coagulation: Impact mechanism of particle size and water chemical conditions
Researchers found that coagulation using aluminum chlorohydrate and polyacrylamide achieved up to 98.5% removal efficiency for polystyrene nanoplastics, with smaller particles being easier to remove, though humic acid in water competed for adsorption sites and reduced effectiveness.