Effects and applications of surfactants on the release, removal, fate, and transport of microplastics in aquatic ecosystem: a review
Issued Date
2023-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
16147499
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85180011801
Pubmed ID
37999837
Journal Title
Environmental science and pollution research international
Volume
30
Issue
58
Start Page
121393
End Page
121419
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Environmental science and pollution research international Vol.30 No.58 (2023) , 121393-121419
Suggested Citation
Phasukarratchai N. Effects and applications of surfactants on the release, removal, fate, and transport of microplastics in aquatic ecosystem: a review. Environmental science and pollution research international Vol.30 No.58 (2023) , 121393-121419. 121419. doi:10.1007/s11356-023-30926-6 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/95543
Title
Effects and applications of surfactants on the release, removal, fate, and transport of microplastics in aquatic ecosystem: a review
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and surfactants (STs) are emerging pollutants in the environment. While many studies have focused on the interactions of STs with MPs, there has not been a comprehensive review focusing on the effect of STs on MPs in aquatic ecosystems. This review summarizes methods for removal of MPs from wastewater (e.g., filtration, flotation, coagulation/flocculation, adsorption, and oxidation-reduction) and the interactions and effects of STs with MPs (adsorption, co-adsorption, desorption, and toxicity). STs can modify MPs surface properties and influence their removal using different wastewater treatments, as well as the adsorption-desorption of both organic and inorganic chemicals. The concentration of STs is a crucial factor that impacts the removal or adsorption of pollutants onto MPs. At low concentrations, STs tend to facilitate MPs removal by flotation and enhance the adsorption of pollutants onto MPs. High ST concentrations, mainly above the critical micelle concentrations, cause MPs to become dispersed and difficult to remove from water while also reducing the adsorption of pollutants by MPs. Excess STs form emulsions with the pollutants, leading to electrostatic repulsion between MPs/STs and the pollutant/STs. As for the toxicity of MPs, the addition of STs to MPs shows complicated results, with some cases showing an increase in toxicity, some showing a decrease, and some showing no effect.