Author Identifier

Mehdi Khiadani

ORCID : 0000-0003-1703-9342

Masoumeh Zargar

ORCID : 0000-0001-9811-6156

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Chemosphere

Volume

283

Publisher

Elsevier

School

School of Engineering

RAS ID

36022

Funders

Edith Cowan University

Comments

This is an author's accepted manuscript of: Golgoli, M., Khiadani, M., Shafieian, A., Sen, T. K., Hartanto, Y., Johns, M. L., & Zargar, M. (2021). Microplastics fouling and interaction with polymeric membranes: A review. Chemosphere, 283, article 131185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131185

Abstract

The emergence and accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in various aquatic environments have recently raised significant concerns. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as one of the major sources of MPs discharge to the environment, implying a substantial need to improve advanced techniques for more efficient removal of MPs. Polymeric membranes have been proven effective in MPs removal. However, fouling is the main drawback of membrane processes and MPs can foul the membranes due to their small size and specific surface properties. Hence, it is important to investigate the impacts of MPs on membrane fouling to develop efficient membrane-based techniques for MPs removal. Although membrane technologies have a high potential for MPs removal, the interaction of MPs with membranes and their fouling effects have not been critically reviewed. The purpose of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review of MPs interaction with membranes and facilitate a better understanding of the relevant limitations and prospects of the membrane technologies. The first section of this paper is dedicated to a review of recent studies on MPs occurrence in WWTPs aiming to determine the most frequent MPs. This is followed by a summary of recent studies on MPs removal using membranes and discussions on the impact of MPs on membrane fouling and other probable issues (abrasion, concentration polarisation, biofouling, etc.). Finally, some recommendations for further research in this area are highlighted. This study serves as a valuable reference for future research on the development of anti-fouling membranes considering these new emerging contaminates.

DOI

10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131185

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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