The management of microplastics in urban and rural water resources: technological and socioeconomic arrangements and regulations

This study provides evidence of a comprehensive analysis of microplastic (MPs) additive concentrations, specifically focusing on phthalate plasticizers such as DEP, DiBP, DEHP, DMP, and DnBP, in water sources. It also considers technologies and socioeconomic factors. The former includes technologies to detect, absorb, and harvest the pollutants, while the latter targets users' behaviors regarding plastics. In light of the meta-analysis based on the conceptually-defined life cycle of MPs in the water treatment plants, water and sewage piping systems, urban drinking water, rivers and seas, the entire point of phthalate-concentration was estimated, as follows $${\overline{X} }_{DEP}$$ = 0.74 ( $$\mu$$ gL−1) (n = 12) (Std. Error = 0.04), $${\overline{X} }_{DiBP}$$ = 2.11 ( $$\mu$$ gL−1) (n = 11) (Std. Error = 0.16), $${\overline{X} }_{DEHP}$$ =  = 11.62 (n = 22) ( $$\mu$$ gL−1) (Std. Error = 0.38), $${\overline{X} }_{DMP}$$ = 0.05 (n = 7) ( $$\mu$$ gL−1) (Std. Error = 0.007), $${\overline{X} }_{DnBP}$$ = 5.82 (n = 4) ( $$\mu$$ gL−1) (Std. Error = 0.41), and $${\overline{X} }_{\sum \mathrm{PAEs}}$$ = 12.09 ( $$\mu$$ gL−1) (n = 15) (Std. Error = 1.52) (DMP < DEP < DiBP < DnBP < DEHP). As inferred from an in-depth literature review, it becomes clear that four methods of magnetic extraction, sol–gel agglomeration, flocculation, and photocatalytic micromotors serve to attain identification, determination, agglomeration, extraction, coagulation, and separation of phthalate-MPs. Also, educationally, legally, communicatively, and financially-driven initiatives are widely applied to handle citizens’ plastic use behaviors to reduce the emission of plastic wastes as possible. In general, designing and implementing technologies to reduce the pollution of plasticizers would be efficient when technologically-driven initiatives are integrated with the socioeconomic enterprises.