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Removal of Microplastic from Wastewater Treatment Plants

2024 5 citations

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This review evaluated stage-by-stage microplastic removal efficiencies across wastewater treatment plant unit processes — including screening, sedimentation, biological treatment, and tertiary filtration — and assessed emerging innovations such as membrane bioreactors and advanced oxidation to improve removal rates beyond current averages of 70–99%. Because treated wastewater effluent is a primary pathway for microplastics to reach rivers and drinking water sources, optimizing removal at these facilities is one of the highest-leverage interventions available for protecting human health.

Study Type Environmental

Since water treatment facilities provide a workable alternative for expelling microplastics from the surroundings, this review examines the overall and stage-by-stage effectiveness of different water treatment techniques in expelling microplastics and the innovations...

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