Abstract
Microplastics in surface water and groundwater are posing significant risks to both ecological systems and human health. Conventional coagulants are limited in their efficacy for microplastic removal and may potentially lead to secondary pollution. The present study investigated the effectiveness of Opuntia Milpa Alta (OMA) particles, as a natural coagulant, in combination with polyaluminum ferric chloride (PAFC) to remove polystyrene (PS) microplastics. The results demonstrated the pivotal role of OMA in facilitating the coagulation. Specifically, the combination of 15 mg/L of OMA and 30 mg/L of PAFC achieved a removal rate of 94.8 %. Zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) analysis revealed that the promotion mechanisms by OMA primarily involved charge neutralization and adsorption bridging, attributed to the presence of polygalacturonic acid from OMA's mucilage, the rough surface and the mesh structures of OMA. Influences of Cl−, SO42− and HCO3− within the concentration range found in surface and groundwater were also studied. Furthermore, a cost assessment demonstrated that the incorporation of OMA not only enhanced the coagulation performance but also reduced overall costs. These findings will provide valuable insights towards the development of cost-effective techniques for the removal of microplastics from water.
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