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Biostrategies for the removal of microplastics: A Review

International Journal of Engineering Technology and Management Sciences 2023 1 citation

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This review covers biological strategies for removing microplastics from the environment, including biodegradation by bacteria and fungi. Biological approaches are highlighted as economically attractive compared to physical or chemical methods, though challenges remain in scaling up and ensuring complete degradation of plastic particles.

Recent studies on plastic pollution have shown that microscopic plastic particles or microplastics are ubiquitous. Both abiotic and biotic components are affected by microplastics. There are several ways to get rid of microplastics, that include recycling, landfilling, incineration, and biodegradation. Biodegradation is still a widely used remediation technology due to its significant economic and environmental benefits. One or more bio-cultures, such as bacteria, mould, yeast, and algae, can be used for biodegradation. In this review, we look through the contributions of microorganisms in biodegradation and other biotechnological techniques to speed up the process.

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