Assess the performance of chemical coagulation process for microplastics removal from stormwater

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) is considered as one of the emerging pollutants in marine environments. Because of low density and small particle size (<5 mm), MPs are easily discharged into open waterways by stormwater runoff. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of coagulation process for the removal of different types of MPs such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) from synthetic stormwater. The effect of different types of a coagulant such as alum and polyacrylamide (PAM), dosages of coagulants, solution pH and weathering conditions was investigated for the removal of MPs. Results found that a combination of alum and PAM performed better than standalone coagulant for MPs removal. The removal of all three types of MPs was high at low pH (3–5). It is also found that the removal efficiency of LDPE, HDPE and PP was 92 %, 84 % and 96 %, respectively under the weathering conditions. The mechanisms for MP removal were charge neutralization and hydrophobic interaction between MP and coagulant flocs. Overall, this study has confirmed that the coagulation process was very effective for removing MP particles under weathering conditions.