Tackling microplastics pollution by advanced oxidation processes
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Engineering
Abstract
The accumulation of plastics in the aquatic environment is a global issue of emerging concern. Small plastic particles known as microplastics (MP) represent about 92% of the total plastic waste. Many organisms can ingest MP, which are eventually transferred to humans through food chain. MPs can cause toxic and adverse effects on organisms, including endocrine disruption, mortality, delayed ovulation, and hepatic stress.
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been proved effective for the treatment of such biologically recalcitrant pollutants. The key advantage of AOPs is that they generate, in-situ, reactive oxygen species, which, in turn, react with the pollutants and eventually mineralize them to safe final products. Using an appropriate AOP as a pre-treatment to conventional biological treatment can lead to partial mineralization of organic content, accompanied with detoxification and biodegradability improvement of the treated effluent.
The aim of this project is to explore and develop new sustainable and efficient technologies to remove microplastics from water and wastewater.
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been proved effective for the treatment of such biologically recalcitrant pollutants. The key advantage of AOPs is that they generate, in-situ, reactive oxygen species, which, in turn, react with the pollutants and eventually mineralize them to safe final products. Using an appropriate AOP as a pre-treatment to conventional biological treatment can lead to partial mineralization of organic content, accompanied with detoxification and biodegradability improvement of the treated effluent.
The aim of this project is to explore and develop new sustainable and efficient technologies to remove microplastics from water and wastewater.
Organisations
Publications
Tursi A
(2022)
Microplastics in aquatic systems, a comprehensive review: origination, accumulation, impact, and removal technologies.
in RSC advances
Easton T
(2023)
Removal of polyester fibre microplastics from wastewater using a UV/H2O2 oxidation process
in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NE/S007407/1 | 24/09/2019 | 29/09/2028 | |||
2460575 | Studentship | NE/S007407/1 | 31/08/2020 | 30/05/2024 | Thomas Easton |