2025· Proceedings of the XI Workshop on Biosystems Engineering: WEB 11.0 1a Edition· pp. 158-164· 0 citations
Abstract
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has raised growing concern due to risks to health and the environment, particularly their interference with drinking water treatment and the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). This review synthesizes studies published between 2019 and 2024 on interactions between MPs and disinfectants—chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, and ultraviolet radiation. Evidence indicates that MPs act as reactive surfaces, vectors for contaminants, and indirect precursors, contributing to toxic DBPs such as trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and nitrosamines. Physicochemical aging within treatment and distribution systems enhances leaching of additives and oxidation products, which participate in complex reaction networks. Effects vary with polymer type, oxidant dose and contact conditions, and the presence of dissolved organic matter. Key gaps include the lack of standardized methods for quantifying MPs in treated water, the scarcity of data on nanoplastics, and limited long-term risk assessment. Overall, MPs in water treatment should not be overlooked, as they represent an emerging pathway for human and environmental exposure to DBPs. The review underscores the need to integrate MP removal research, robust analytical methods, and evidence-based policies to address this challenge in the context of drinking-water safety.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized not only as persistent particulate pollutants but also as active sources and vectors of phthalate esters (PAEs) in aquatic environments. Because PAEs are physically incorporated rather than chemically bonded within polymer matrices, they can be progressively released through leaching, photooxidation, mechanical abrasion, and biological interactions. This review synthesizes current understanding of MP-mediated PAE release, their interactions with co-contaminants, and the implications for ecological exposure. Environmental aging enhances polymer fragmentation and surface oxidation, accelerating additive desorption and altering sorption behavior. Field evidence from major river systems shows that high-molecular-weight PAEs, particularly DEHP and DBP, frequently dominate contamination profiles and contribute most significantly to ecological risk, with cumulative risk quotients (∑RQ) reaching up to 59.22 in heavily impacted watersheds. Ingestion of MPs by aquatic organisms further promotes in situ chemical transfer under gastrointestinal conditions, increasing internal exposure beyond dissolved-phase concentrations alone. Moreover, MPs act as multi-contaminant platforms, facilitating the co-transport of PAEs with metals and hydrophobic organic pollutants, thereby intensifying mixture toxicity and trophic transfer. Collectively, these processes demonstrate that MP-associated PAE release represents a dynamic and sustained pathway of chemical pollution requiring integrated risk assessment and source-control strategies.
Retno Wulandari, Nurul Fahimah, Hanny Merinawati et al.· Journal of Contaminant Hydro...· 0 citations
Plastic pollution poses a significant and pervasive threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems globally. This review provides an integrated assessment of Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) by linking their sources, pathways, occurrence, and environmental impacts across interconnected aquatic systems. The synthesis reveals that MNPs distribution is driven by multiple pathways, including wastewater discharges, surface runoff, and atmospheric deposition, with sediments and wetlands acting as both sinks and secondary sources. A key finding of this review is that methodological differences in sampling, digestion, density separation, and analytical techniques significantly influence reported concentrations and size distributions, often leading to the underrepresentation of smaller particles, particularly nano-plastics. While advanced analytical tools such as FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and Py-GC/MS have improved detection and characterization, challenges remain in achieving standardized and comparable measurements across studies. Wastewater treatment plants play a dual role as both partial barriers and pathways for MNPs. Although advanced treatment processes can achieve high removal efficiencies, smaller particles often escape into receiving waters, highlighting limitations in current treatment systems. Beyond occurrence, this review emphasizes the broader ecological implications of MNPs, including their toxicological effects on aquatic organisms, disruption of ecosystem processes, and role as vectors other contaminants. Finally, this review highlights the need for standardized methodologies, improved detection of smaller particles, and integrated, system-level management strategies to better understand and mitigate the environmental risks associated with MNPs pollution.
C. Duru, Mustafa Ali, Jennifer Okafor et al.· Water, Air and Soil Pollutio...· 0 citations
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm that have become a growing environmental concern due to their persistence and widespread distribution. They originate from diverse sources, including laundry detergents, vehicle tires, cosmetic microbeads, and the degradation of larger plastics through ultraviolet radiation and saline exposure. This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to summarize current knowledge on the environmental and human health effects of microplastics. A comprehensive literature search was performed in ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, yielding 2694 initial records. After applying exclusion criteria and removing duplicates, 111 studies were selected for full reading, and 54 articles were ultimately included in the analysis. The results reveal that microplastics can absorb and release pollutants, leading to the contamination of water and soil and enabling them to enter the food chain, thereby posing potential risks to both ecosystems and human health. However, significant discrepancies were found among the databases regarding the amount and quality of available data, highlighting the need for standardized research approaches. In conclusion, understanding the sources, distribution, and impacts of microplastics is crucial to developing strategies to mitigate their release, and further research is essential to assess their long-term effects and to guide environmental policy.
Diana Aline Gomes, L. F. Cusioli, L. Nishi et al.· Sustainability· 0 citations
Background: Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as significant environmental contaminants increasingly detected in drinking water. Originating from plastic waste, textiles, and industrial effluents, MPs can infiltrate water systems and resist conventional treatment processes. Their small size and ability to carry toxic substances such as plasticizers, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants raise serious concerns regarding human health and water safety. Methods: This study employed a narrative review approach by synthesizing literature published between 2021 and 2025 from PubMed, Dimensions AI, and ScienceDirect. The review examined the sources of MPs in drinking water, associated human health risks, detection methods, removal technologies, and existing regulatory frameworks. Findings: The review found that MPs in drinking water pose considerable health risks through chemical leaching, bioaccumulation, and physical damage. Smaller particles, particularly nanoplastics, are difficult to detect and can bypass conventional filtration systems. Exposure to MPs is associated with endocrine disruption, gastrointestinal disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and other long-term health impacts, especially among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. Advanced treatment technologies, including nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and electrocoagulation show potential for effective removal, although economic and operational limitations hinder large-scale implementation. The study also identified major policy gaps, including the absence of standardized global regulations and safety thresholds for MPs. Conclusion: Microplastic contamination in drinking water represents a growing threat to public health and water quality management. Improved detection methods, stronger regulatory frameworks, advanced treatment technologies, and public health education are urgently needed to reduce exposure and ensure safer drinking water systems worldwide. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of microplastic contamination in drinking water by integrating health risk assessment, detection challenges, treatment technologies, and policy analysis within a single review. It highlights critical gaps in regulation and emphasizes the need for global standardization and interdisciplinary solutions.
Felix Donkor, Gifty Dudzilah, Ogonna Kizzito Agbahiwe et al.· Asian Journal of Toxicology,...· 0 citations
With the widespread application of new chemicals, the concentration of emerging contaminants (ECs), such as antibiotics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, and new pesticides, in aquatic environments is on the rise. ECs such as those examined in the studies exhibit high toxicity, persistence, and a propensity for bioaccumulation, which can lead to significant risks for ecosystems and human health. Traditional water treatment technologies exhibit limited removal capabilities for ECs, whereas micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) exhibit great potential in the field of ECs treatment, due to their unique physicochemical properties. This article systematically reviews the research progress on the treatment of ECs using MNBs combined with other technologies, including physical methods (adsorption enhancement), chemical methods (ozonation, persulfate oxidation, photocatalysis, and material catalysis) and biological methods (microbial synergy). This review summarizes the research progress and mechanisms of MNBs combination technologies, outlining the critical knowledge gaps and future research perspectives to advance the rational design and engineering application of MNBs for ECs’ elimination in water treatment.
The microplastic (MP) is a persistent contaminant that is commonly found in water, soil, sediments and air, and is less than 5 mm in size. This review aims to present the summary of recent studies concerning their chemical degradation, which include oxidative, photochemical, hydrolysis, advanced oxidation processes and free-radical. It also discusses the factors that determine the degradation efficiency: polymer composition, pH, crystallinity, catalysts, UV intensity and dose of oxidants. Recent technologies such as Fenton and photo-Fenton oxidation, ozonation, hydrogen peroxide treatment, persulfate activation, photocatalysis and electrochemical oxidation are discussed and compared on the basis of species generated, applicable polymers, advantages, and disadvantages. These methods can speed up the chain scission and partial mineralisation, but some challenges are still left unsolved: incomplete degradation, toxicity of intermediates, recovery of catalysts, energy demand and scale-up. The use of recyclable catalysts, real-environment validation, standardised assessment methods, and integration with biological treatment to realize sustainable microplastic remediation at practical scales with minimal secondary pollution should be emphasised in future research.
Madhu Dubey Swarnkar· International Journal of Inn...· 0 citations
