Phytoremediation of Microplastics: A Perspective on Its Practicality

Abstract

Microplastics have permeated all parts of the environment, rendering their removal essential. Numerous strategies ranging from the physical removal of mismanaged plastic items to the biodegradation of microplastics with microorganisms and biocatalysts have been proposed to alleviate microplastic pollution. Phytoremediation is one of the plastic-removing strategies, but it has not received much attention. This perspective paper aims to review the phytoremediation of microplastics and discuss its practicality. The paper shows that plants could act as interceptors and a temporary sink of microplastics by facilitating their deposition, adsorbing them, trapping them in the root zone, enabling them to cluster on the roots, taking them up, translocating them, and accumulating them in various plant parts. However, there was a lack of evidence pointing to the degradation of microplastics after they were adsorbed, taken up, and stored. Weak adsorption and environmental factors may cause the trapped microplastics to desorb, resuspend, or evade, thus also making plants a source of microplastics. The microplastics trapped and accumulated in plants may be transferred to the higher trophic levels of the food chain through ingestion and raise concerns over their ecotoxicities. Unlike localized pollution, microplastic pollution is widespread, which limits the applicability of phytoremediation. Besides, microplastics could adversely impact plant health and the ability of plants to remove other environmental pollutants. These drawbacks may reduce the attractiveness of phytoremediation unless it can be effectively combined with bioremediation to degrade microplastics.

Identification and Quantification of Microplastics Contamination in Potato from Malang Raya, Indonesia

“…To minimize MPs pollution in irrigation water at seed farms in Pujon Kidul, two studies would be carried out in future research, namely i) phytoremediation [81,82], ii) use of bio absorbents, including solid waste from coffee processor [83,84], and biochar [79,80].…”

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater streams: occurrence and current treatment

“…Natural methods particularly phytoremediation have been shown to remove PFAS in surface water to a certain extent but are limited in efficiency and the duration taken to achieve significant reduction of PFAS in water. Besides, there are uncertainties concerning the fates of PFAS in the phytoremediation plants and it is likely that PFAS are not completely degraded [62,63].…”