Global distribution of microplastic contaminants in aquatic environments and their remediation strategies

Abstract

This review describes the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in freshwater and marine environments in recent years (2017–2022). Use of microplastics often results in contamination of aquatic environments, threatens biodiversity, and creates the need for environmental remediation. Such remediation strategies can involve primary, secondary, and tertiary treatments. Tertiary treatment is a frequent research subject due to its high efficiency and the possibility for advancements and enhancements. This study discusses tertiary treatments with remediation efficiencies of 95% and greater and their advantages, disadvantages, and future perspectives. Biochar‐mediated remediation of microplastics is an effective method that may be able to achieve efficiencies approaching 100%. The study concludes by exploring methods of removing microplastics, including constructed wetlands and biochar, which offer high efficiency. Practitioner Points Tertiary treatments are an effective microplastic remediation strategy applicable succeeding secondary or primary treatments or as an individual remediation strategy. Biochar is a highly efficient adsorbent for microplastic remediation from aquatic environment with eco‐friendly aspect and reusability. Modifications in tertiary treatments and enhancement in remediation efficiency are still a subject of research for future studies.

Adsorption behaviors of perfluorooctanoic acid on aged microplastics

“…PFCAs are harmful to wild animals and human health (Cui et al, 2020; Merino et al, 2016; Winchell et al, 2021). Microplastics (MPs) widely existing in water and soils can act as vectors (Barhoumi et al, 2022; Ning et al, 2023; Sathyamoorthy et al, 2022; Tirkey et al, 2022) and strongly influence the environmental behaviors of co‐existing emerging contaminants (Ding et al, 2022; Mao et al, 2020; Sobhani et al, 2021). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was one of the most ubiquitous compounds in natural environment (Cheng et al, 2021; Jian et al, 2017; Kurwadkar et al, 2022; Tan et al, 2017) and commonly could be detected on the surface of wild MPs (Cheng et al, 2021).…”