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Effect of Microplastics on Cu2+ Adsorption by β-cyclodextrin Modified Biochar
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This study found that both polypropylene and polystyrene microplastics significantly inhibited copper ion adsorption by a novel beta-cyclodextrin modified biochar in water remediation tests, reducing maximum copper uptake by up to 24% through surface blocking and pore occlusion. The results reveal that co-occurring microplastics can undermine the effectiveness of engineered adsorbents for heavy metal removal, complicating real-world water treatment in contaminated environments where multiple pollutants coexist.
The pervasive co-existence of microplastics with other pollutants complicates the efficacy of adsorbents in water remediation. This study, therefore, investigates the under-explored impact of polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics on the adsorption of Cu2+ by a novel β-cyclodextrin modified biochar (β-BC). Results revealed a significant inhibition of Cu2+ removal in the presence of both microplastics, with the Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity decreasing from 38.12 mg/g for β-BC alone to 33.03 mg/g with PP and 29.07 mg/g with PS. The stronger inhibition by PS is attributed to surface site coverage via π-π stacking interactions, whereas PP's interference stems primarily from physical pore blockage. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect was pH-dependent, while high salinity or humic acid concentrations unexpectedly promoted the overall Cu2+ uptake, highlighting the complex role of environmental factors. This work underscores the critical need to consider microplastic interference when evaluating adsorbents for real-world environmental applications.
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Biochar is a cheap, eco-friendly material used to filter toxic chromium out of contaminated water, but this study found that when microplastics are mixed in, they interfere with biochar's ability to soak up this pollutant. This matters because microplastics are now everywhere in our water systems, and if they're quietly undermining our water treatment methods, harmful chemicals like chromium could be slipping through and ending up in the water we drink.
Removal of Microplastics from Water by Using Agro-Waste Biochar
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This study investigated agricultural waste-derived biochar as a low-cost adsorbent for removing microplastics from water and wastewater, evaluating its effectiveness as an emerging treatment approach. Biochar offers a sustainable, circular-economy solution for microplastic removal by converting agricultural residues into functional treatment materials, potentially reducing costs compared to conventional engineered sorbents.
Polyethylene Microplastics Modulate the Copper Adsorption–desorption Processes in Agricultural Soils
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Batch adsorption experiments showed that adding 1% polyethylene microplastics to two agricultural soils modestly increased copper adsorption capacity while altering desorption behavior in soil-type-dependent ways. This matters because microplastic accumulation in farmland can disrupt heavy metal cycling, potentially increasing bioavailability of toxic metals like copper in crops and the humans and animals that consume them.
Removal of Emerging Contaminants Microplastics by Using Biochar Technology, a Review
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This review evaluated biochar technology as a method for removing microplastics from environmental matrices, assessing its adsorption capacity, mechanisms, and scalability as a remediation tool. Given that microplastics are toxic, persistent, and resistant to conventional treatment, biochar offers a promising low-cost intervention to reduce contamination in water and soil before particles enter the food chain.
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