Recent advancement in removal of microplastics as emerging pollutants from aquatic ecosystems: adsorption and separation

Plastic waste is spreading in aquatic ecosystems in massive quantities as a result of the pervasive and unavoidable usage of plastics in our daily lives. Microplastics (MPs), emerging pollutants endangering aquatic ecosystems, have garnered global attention. The widespread presence of MPs has raised concerns due to their persistence, non-biodegradability, and ability to adsorb various pollutants, posing risks to marine life, ecosystems, human health, and the economy. An estimated 10 million tons of plastic enter the oceans, with around 270,000 tons currently afloat. Plastic buildup is increasing since only 9% of plastic is recycled and the majority ends up in landfills or the environment. Despite wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) removing 80-99% of MPs, significant amounts still enter the environment via treated water and sludge. Humans may ingest hundreds to thousands of MP particles annually through seafood, posing risks to both health and aquatic ecosystems. Due to their toxic potential, researchers are developing advanced technologies to remove MPs from ecosystems. Key efforts include improving capture methods, promoting proper plastic disposal and recycling, and raising awareness of their health and environmental impacts. Among various techniques, adsorption stands out for its high removal efficiency. This review attempts to investigate current advancements in the creation of promising adsorbents applicable for the removal of MPs from aqueous environments. This manuscript's primary goals include emphasizing the behavior and impacts of MPs as well as the chemical pollution they cause in the environment. It also emphasizes the assessment and synthesis of the most recent advancements in adsorption technology as a successful method for impartially eliminating MPs from aquatic environments. Along with highlighting the special contributions of advanced adsorbents and their potential practical applications, this work also emphasizes the linkages between disciplines like toxicology, waste management, and nanotechnology in tackling these issues.