We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Investigating the Potential of Coagulants to Improve Microplastics Removal in Wastewater and Tap Water
Summary
Researchers found that adding coagulants (FeCl3 or Al2(SO4)3) to wastewater and tap water improved microplastic removal, with aluminum sulfate achieving 43% and 62% removal efficiencies respectively, though the high concentrations required suggest that combining coagulants with organic polyelectrolytes could improve practicality.
This study investigates the impact of using coagulants on the removal of microplastics (MPs) from wastewater and tap water. Before the settling step, coagulants commonly used in water treatment (FeCl3 or Al2(SO4)3) were added at different concentrations to samples taken from an activated sludge reactor and tap water. MPs initially contained in the water samples were chemically and physically characterized, resulting in most of them being fibres smaller than 500 μm, in both media. The use of coagulants improved MPs removal, and the best results were obtained with the aluminum salt, which allowed removal efficiencies of 43% and 62% for tap water and wastewater, respectively. These results demonstrated the potential of coagulants to improve the removal of MPs in treated waters and wastewaters. However, the necessary concentration of the assayed coagulants was quite high, highlighting the interest in investigating their combination with coagulant aids, such as organic polyelectrolytes, which might allow for reduced doses.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Elimination of a Mixture of Microplastics Using Conventional and Detergent-Assisted Coagulation
Researchers tested coagulation as a method to remove microplastics from tap water, evaluating how microplastic type (PE and PVC), water pH, coagulant dose, and microplastic concentration affect removal efficiency, and finding that detergent-assisted coagulation improves performance.
Influence of Different Coagulants on Microplastics Removal
Researchers compared the effectiveness of different coagulants—including aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride, and polyaluminum chloride—for removing microplastics from water, finding significant performance differences dependent on plastic particle size, charge, and coagulant dose.
Microplastics removal from aquatic environment by coagulation: Selecting the best coagulant based on variables determined from a systematic review
This systematic review and experimental study identifies the most effective methods for removing microplastics from water using coagulation, a common water treatment technique. Researchers tested different coagulants on three types of microplastics and found that aluminum-based coagulants were most effective. These findings could help water treatment plants better remove microplastics from the water supply before it reaches our taps.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in water: Improving removal in wastewater treatment plants with alternative coagulants
Laboratory tests showed that conventional aluminum sulfate (alum) coagulant becomes much less effective at removing micro- and nanoplastics from water at pH above 7.8—a common condition in municipal wastewater—but switching to aluminum chlorohydrate largely restores removal efficiency. This matters because wastewater treatment plants are a critical barrier preventing microplastics from entering rivers and oceans, and many currently use alum. The study gives water utilities a practical, drop-in solution to significantly improve microplastic capture under challenging water chemistry.
The removal of microplastics from water by coagulation: A comprehensive review
This review comprehensively examined coagulation as a technology for removing microplastics from drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, analyzing the mechanisms, influencing factors, and effectiveness of different coagulants for microplastic removal.