Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Ceramic Membranes to Separate Anthropogenic Microparticles from Wastewater Sludge Centrate

Researchers evaluated ceramic microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes for removing microplastics from the liquid centrate stream in wastewater sludge dewatering, finding that while all membranes fully rejected particles larger than 50 µm, multi-channel ultrafiltration membranes achieved up to 95% efficiency for fragments but only 70% for fibers, and cross-contamination remained an unsolved challenge.

2026 Water Air & Soil Pollution
Article Tier 2

Removal of Microplastics in a Hybrid Treatment Process of Ceramic Microfiltration and Photocatalyst-Mounted PES Spheres with Air Backwashing

Researchers developed a hybrid water treatment system combining ceramic microfiltration with photocatalyst-coated spheres and air backwashing to remove microplastics and organic matter. The combined system achieved higher removal rates for both microplastics and dissolved organic compounds than any single treatment method alone. The study demonstrates a promising approach for upgrading existing water treatment facilities to better handle microplastic contamination.

2024 Membranes 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Membrane processes as a highly effective and eco-friendly technology for treating municipal water contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics.

Researchers evaluated membrane filtration as an environmentally friendly technology for removing micro- and nanoplastics from water, testing different membrane types and pore sizes. Membrane processes showed high removal efficiency for microplastics and outperformed conventional water treatment steps for the smallest particles.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Ubiquitous microplastics, sources, impacts, and treatment: Importance of cost-effective ceramic membranes for MPs removal

This review examines the sources, environmental impacts, and treatment methods for microplastic contamination, with a focus on ceramic membrane filtration. Researchers found that while conventional treatment methods have limitations, ceramic membranes offer cost-effective and durable performance for removing microplastics from water. The study highlights the widespread presence of microplastics across environmental compartments and the urgent need for scalable removal technologies.

2024 Water Cycle 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Preventing Microplastic Release into Oceans through Wastewater Treatment Technologies.

Comparing immersed and sidestream membrane bioreactors for microplastic removal from wastewater, this analysis found membrane bioreactors more efficient than conventional treatment, identifying them as a key technology to prevent microplastic release to oceans.

2024 Science and Technology of Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Protection
Article Tier 2

Membrane processes as a highly effective and eco-friendly technology for treating municipal water contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics.

This review assessed membrane filtration processes as a method for removing micro- and nanoplastics from water, evaluating their effectiveness and environmental footprint compared to conventional treatment approaches. Membrane technologies showed high removal efficiency for both micro- and nanoplastics and were identified as among the most promising eco-friendly treatment options.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Treatment processes for microplastics and nanoplastics in waters: State-of-the-art review

This review summarized established and emerging treatment processes for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from drinking water and wastewater, evaluating coagulation, membrane filtration, advanced oxidation, and biological treatment in terms of removal efficiency and operational feasibility.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 102 citations
Article Tier 2

Developing an Efficient Model for Microplastic Removal in Wastewater: Integrating Advanced Filtration, Nanotechnology, and Bioremediation

Researchers developed an integrated model for microplastic removal from wastewater combining bio-based filtration with chitosan and alginate beads, carbon nanotube nanotechnology, and bioremediation techniques. The study suggests that this synergistic approach addresses key limitations of conventional treatment methods, including insufficient removal efficiency, low adsorption capacity, and inadequate selectivity for different microplastic types.

2026 Journal of Water Chemistry and Technology
Article Tier 2

Understanding the fate of nano-plastics in wastewater treatment plants and their removal using membrane processes

This review assessed what is known about the fate of nanoplastics in wastewater treatment plants, highlighting that conventional treatment processes are poorly suited to removing particles below 1 µm and that membrane-based processes show the most promise for nanoplastic removal.

2021 Chemosphere 102 citations
Article Tier 2

An evaluation of microplastics fate in the wastewater treatment plants: frequency and removal of microplastics by microfiltration membrane

This study assessed microplastic removal efficiency at a wastewater treatment plant in Iran and tested microfiltration membrane performance, finding that the membrane significantly improved microplastic removal beyond conventional treatment steps.

2021 Water Practice & Technology 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Membrane Processes for Microplastic Removal

This review evaluates the use of membrane technologies for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from wastewater treatment plant effluents. Researchers found that while membrane bioreactors show promise, most existing membrane approaches are still insufficient for comprehensive microplastic removal, especially for the smallest particles. The study suggests that specially designed membrane systems are needed as advanced tertiary treatment to prevent microplastic discharge into waterways.

2019 Molecules 316 citations
Review Tier 2

A review of microplastic removal from water and wastewater by membrane technologies

This review examines how membrane filtration technologies can remove microplastics from drinking water and wastewater. Researchers found that advanced membranes like nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and membrane bioreactors are among the most effective methods for capturing microplastic particles that conventional treatment plants miss. The study compares membrane approaches with other removal methods and discusses the challenges of membrane fouling caused by microplastic accumulation.

2023 Water Science & Technology 146 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent approaches and advanced wastewater treatment technologies for mitigating emerging microplastics contamination – A critical review

This review critically assessed advanced wastewater treatment technologies for removing microplastics, noting that conventional treatment plants act as both barriers and point sources for microplastic release into the environment. The study suggests that advanced treatment approaches such as membrane filtration and advanced oxidation processes show promise for improving microplastic removal efficiency from wastewater.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 243 citations
Article Tier 2

Wastewater Treatment Methods for Removal of Microplastics from Effluents

This book chapter reviewed pressure membrane technologies — including ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis — for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from wastewater effluents. The authors evaluate the performance, cost, and limitations of each membrane type and discuss how combinations of technologies can achieve higher removal efficiencies.

2025
Article Tier 2

Recent advances on micro/nanoplastic pollution and membrane fouling during water treatment: A review

Researchers reviewed recent advances in understanding how micro- and nanoplastics contribute to membrane fouling during water treatment processes. The study found that while membrane separation effectively removes microplastics from wastewater effluent, fouling caused by plastic particles along with dissolved organics and extracellular polymers remains a key obstacle, and understanding the fouling mechanisms is critical for improving treatment efficiency.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 64 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of a hybrid filter media for microplastic removal from wastewater

Researchers developed hybrid glass fiber filter media incorporating glass and electrospun polymer nanofibers—both blended into the matrix and applied as surface layers—to improve microplastic removal efficiency from wastewater compared to standard filtration media.

2025 Open Repository and Bibliography (University of Luxembourg)
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nanoplastics removal mechanisms in wastewater treatment plants: A review

This review examines how conventional wastewater treatment plants remove micro- and nanoplastics, and evaluates advanced technologies like membrane filtration and electrocoagulation that could improve removal rates. While existing treatment plants can capture most microplastics, they still release significant quantities into waterways through their enormous discharge volumes. The study highlights that biological treatment steps may also transform microplastics in potentially harmful ways that need further investigation.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 88 citations
Article Tier 2

Reuse of Water in Laundry Applications with Micro- and Ultrafiltration Ceramic Membrane

Microfiltration and ultrafiltration ceramic membranes were compared for the treatment of laundry wastewater containing microfibers, with both membranes achieving high microfiber removal while the ultrafiltration membrane provided better water quality for reuse. The study supports ceramic membrane filtration as an effective approach to capturing textile microplastics at the point of washing.

2022 Membranes 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Filtration Methods for Microplastic Removal in Wastewater Streams — A Review

This review surveys filtration, membrane, coagulation, and biological methods for removing microplastics from wastewater, concluding that membrane bioreactors and dynamic membranes are among the most effective current technologies. The paper provides a useful comparative overview for engineers and policymakers seeking cost-effective solutions to prevent microplastics from passing through treatment plants into waterways.

2023 International Journal of High Speed Electronics and Systems 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Removal of emerging micropollutants from wastewater by nanofiltration and biofilm reactor (MicroStop)

This study evaluated a combined nanofiltration and biofiltration system for removing micropollutants from municipal wastewater as part of the MicroStop project. Advanced wastewater treatment combining biological and physical filtration can significantly reduce the discharge of microplastics and chemical micropollutants into receiving water bodies.

2020 Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Removal of Microplastics and Performance of a Developed Ceramic Filter

Researchers developed a ceramic filter from clay and waste glass with varying porogenic agent content and firing temperatures, then evaluated water permeability, element leaching, and microplastic removal efficiency. The formulation without a porogenic agent achieved the highest microplastic removal rate of nearly 99.8%, demonstrating that optimizing porosity and filtration pressure is key to effective and affordable microplastic filtration.

2024 Journal of Applied Materials and Technology
Article Tier 2

The Potential Role of Membrane Technology in the Removal of Microplastics from Wastewater

This review examines membrane filtration as a technology for removing microplastics from wastewater, finding it promising but limited by issues of fouling and chemical instability. Improving membrane technology could significantly reduce the amount of microplastics discharged into waterways from treatment plants.

2021 Journal of Applied Membrane Science & Technology 21 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastic particles in the aquatic environment: A systematic review

Among treatment technologies for microplastic removal from water, membrane bioreactors achieved the highest efficiency (>99%), followed by activated sludge (~98%) and rapid sand filtration (~97%), while hybrid treatment approaches showed the best overall removal performance.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 238 citations
Article Tier 2

Technologies for the Removal of Microplastics from Wastewater: A Short Review

This review compares wastewater treatment technologies for removing microplastics, finding that membrane bioreactors and advanced filtration systems achieve the highest removal efficiencies (>95%) but that MPs accumulating in sludge may re-enter the environment through biosolid disposal. The analysis underscores that no current treatment system completely prevents MP discharge and that sludge management is a critical but underaddressed pathway to the environment.

2023 Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology 2 citations