Evaluating treatment solutions: Critical review on technologies employed for microplastic removal from water matrices

Abstract

The emerging environmental concerns and the subsequent surge in microplastic (MP) research can be linked to their extensive presence and the subsequent adverse impact on the ecosystem, necessitating the identification of efficacious, environmentally conscious and economically feasible MP mitigating technologies. In this veneration, different technological approaches are compared based on removal efficiencies, environmental impacts and economic feasibility. Critical comparison of existing technologies by using life cycle assessment, techno-economic and strength-weakness-opportunity-threat analysis showed that the chemical methods exhibit better removal efficiencies, whereas the hybrid methods exhibited better environmental and economic feasibility. The secondary pollution caused by the existing physical and biological treatment methods is also highlighted along with the focus on the need for further research in developing sustainable and efficient MP removal technology.