Scientific research into microplastic remediation

Researchers are investigating diverse chemical and biological strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution in soil, water, and the human body.

Initial studies focused on material-based degradation and biological removal in environmental settings. At University College London, experiments demonstrated that multi-walled carbon nanotubes could enhance the surface oxidation and mass loss of polyethylene in soil-plant systems. Complementary research from Clemson University explored using the bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. NCIMB 2021 to embed microplastics in a matrix through extracellular polymeric substances, facilitating removal from water with a maximum capacity of 74% for high-density polyethylene.

Subsequent developments have expanded into probiotic applications and photocatalysis. In South Korea, scientists identified a probiotic strain from kimchi, Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, which can bind to microplastic particles to potentially aid excretion. Meanwhile, researchers at the Brno University of Technology are testing a water purification method using graphitic carbon nitride to capture and decompose impurities via photocatalysis, with ongoing investigations into its efficacy against microplastics.