From Pollution to Solution: Scalable Approaches to Microplastic Degradation and Sustainability: A Review

In 21st century, it is critical for sustainable development due to natural resources depletion and the expansion of new territories, leading to increased urbanization, environmental risks and the creation of large-scale economic systems. Microplastics originating from industries, transportation and other human activities, have become a significant global aquatic pollutant, posing serious threats to marine life. Traditional methods for removing microplastics have proven ineffective due to their small size, prompting the exploration of new degradation strategies. This review highlights various approaches for microplastic degradation, including physical methods like density gradient separation, filtration systems, reverse osmosis and magnetic separation; chemical methods involving acid-alkali treatment, chemical oxidation and photocatalysis; and biological methods focusing on bioremediation through bioaugmentation and biostimulation. While these methods offer partial degradation of microplastics, often producing valuable byproducts on a small scale, they have limitations. To address these shortcomings, innovative techniques such as adsorption on algae, biochar and photocatalytic micromotors are being developed, reflecting the latest research trends in microplastic degradation.