We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Understanding and Improving Microplastic Removal during Water Treatment: Impact of Coagulation and Flocculation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically tested coagulation and flocculation for removing microplastics from drinking water, finding that removal efficiency depended strongly on plastic particle size and whether particles had been weathered, with smaller pristine particles being the hardest to remove.
The efficacy of plastic particle removal by municipal water treatment plants is currently uncertain, and the mechanisms involved in microplastic (MP) coagulation and flocculation have only been superficially investigated. The removal of pristine versus weathered plastic debris and the impact of plastic particle size on removal remain largely unexplored. In this study, coagulation, flocculation, and settling performances were investigated using pristine and weathered MPs (polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) microspheres, and polyester (PEST) fibers). Weathering processes that changed the surface chemistry and roughness of MPs impacted MP affinity for coagulants and flocculants. A quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring was used to identify the mechanisms involved during MP coagulation and flocculation. Measured deposition rates confirmed the relatively low affinity between plastic surfaces and aluminum-based coagulants compared to cationic polyacrylamide (PAM). In every case examined, coagulant efficiency increased when the plastic surface was weathered. Removals of 97 and 99% were measured for PEST and weathered PE, respectively. Larger pristine PE MPs were the most resistant to coagulation and flocculation, with 82% removal observed even under enhanced coagulation conditions. By understanding the interaction mechanisms, the removal of weathered MPs was optimized. Finally, this study explored the use of settled water turbidity as a possible indicator of MP removal.
More Papers Like This
Removal of different types of microplastics from the water by coagulation and flocculation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested coagulation and flocculation water treatment processes for their ability to remove different types and sizes of microplastics from water. Removal efficiency varied substantially by microplastic type and size, with smaller particles proving harder to capture than larger ones. The study provides practical data for improving microplastic removal in municipal water treatment facilities.
Recent advances in microplastic removal from drinking water by coagulation: Removal mechanisms and influencing factors
AI summary Read the abstract
A meta-analysis and random forest model found that coagulation can effectively remove microplastics from drinking water, with particle shape being the most important factor affecting removal efficiency, followed by coagulant type and dosage. Charge neutralization is the dominant mechanism for small microplastics, while adsorption bridging and sweeping work better for larger particles.
Fate of microplastics in the drinking water production
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked the fate of microplastics through drinking water treatment processes, finding that conventional treatment steps like coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration removed the majority of microplastics but did not eliminate them entirely.
Microplastic removal in coagulation-flocculation: Optimization through chemometric and morphological insights
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers optimized the coagulation-flocculation process — a standard water treatment step where chemicals cause particles to clump and settle — for removing three types of microplastics: polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. Polystyrene was removed most efficiently, and adjusting pH, coagulant type, and dosage significantly improved removal rates, providing practical guidance for upgrading existing water treatment plants to better capture microplastics.
Removal of microplastics and nanoplastics in water treatment processes: A systematic literature review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically reviewed 103 studies across 26 water treatment plants in 12 countries to assess how well various technologies remove microplastics and nanoplastics from drinking water, finding that while coagulation, filtration, and advanced treatments help, significant gaps remain. The review identifies that no single process achieves complete removal, leaving microplastics as a persistent contaminant in treated water supplies.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.