Evaluating the Efficacy of Green Biodegradable Materials in the Removal of Microplastic Pollutants

Microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems pose public and ecological health threats due to their ability to persist, bioaccumulate and to carry toxic pollutants. Green, biodegradable materials have emerged as sustainable alternatives for MP remediation. They offer high surface area, environmental compatibility, and functional groups conducive to MP adsorption and aggregation. These materials can be designed to exhibit selective hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, enhancing their ability to capture MPs from water. The study evaluates the performance of renewable materials such as cellulose, chitosan, alginate, lignin, polylactic acid (PLA), and biochar in adsorbing, filtering, and aggregating MPs under varying environmental conditions. Additionally, comparisons have been made between the removal efficiencies and interaction mechanisms of various materials. Furthermore, important variables affecting removal performance have been thoroughly investigated, including MP properties, experimental setup, biomaterial dimensions, and surface features. Even with encouraging outcomes, issues with scalability, material regeneration, and long-term stability still exist. The review’s conclusion highlights the need for more studies to improve bioadsorbent design and functionalities to make it easier to incorporate them into extensive water treatment systems.