Principais métodos de remoção de microplásticos: uma revisão bibliográfica

Abstract

In recent decades, microplastic pollution has been widely studied due to the environmental threats it poses, with documented presence in marine, fluvial, terrestrial, and atmospheric ecosystems. This study aims to conduct a bibliographic review of the main microplastic removal techniques, analyzing their mechanisms and associated efficiencies. Initially, the processes of microplastic formation, their classifications, physical-chemical properties and behaviors in different environments are presented, in order to contextualize the material's specificities and support the appropriate choice of removal techniques. Then, removal methods are discussed according to unit operations, categorized as physical, chemical, or biological. The highlighted methods include coagulation and flocculation, oxidation (photocatalysis and ozonation), adsorption (nanocellulose and biochar), filtration, lotation/sedimentation, and biological removal using algae, bacteria, and fungi. A comparative analysis of the results found in the literature shows that, although some techniques achieve high removal rates, the results may be distorted by the lack of methodological standardization, since the studies are usually applied to different types of polymers and size ranges. Finally, some of the main challenges faced are highlighted, such as economic viability, technical limitations, and the generation of by-products such as nanoplastics. The conclusion emphasizes that, despite technological advances, microplastic removal must be accompanied by preventive strategies that involve structural changes in the current plastic production and consumption model.