Direct and in-line filtration for microplastic removal from drinking water

• Grant number: 24/06591-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Gonçalves dos Reis
• Grantee: Adriano Gonçalves dos Reis
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Rodrigo Braga Moruzzi ; Soroosh Sharifi

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a global concern due to their potential to impact ecological integrity and human health as an emerging pollutant. The presence of microplastics in water from drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) underscores the need for studies to mitigate this issue. While the removal capacity of MPs through coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation has been reported in the literature, treatments for drinking water via direct or in-line filtration have not been adequately investigated. In this context, the general objective of this work is to evaluate the efficiency of microplastic removal from laboratory and natural source water (Paraíba do Sul river) through direct and in-line filtration in jar tests with sand filter coupled using synthetic (ferric chloride and aluminum sulfate) and natural (Moringa oleifera seed) coagulants. The MP to be studied will be PVC (polyvinyl chloride) due to its prominent production and global use, as well as being classified as one of the most toxic polymers, despite the scarce literature on its removal in water treatment. In order to approximate the tests to real operating conditions, the PVC MP will be aged, and humic acid will be added to the suspension to represent the presence of natural organic matter, in addition of trials with natural source water. Filtration efficiency will be evaluated via the Ives filterability index and the capacity for PVC MP removal. Non-intrusive imaging techniques will be employed to monitor floc growth and its effect on filtration efficiency. The proposal has significant practical application since direct and in-line filtration are employed in Brazilian DWTPs and aims to continue ongoing studies of MP removal from water with international collaboration. By the end of this project, it is intended to advance knowledge on the removal of MPs in drinking water treatment. (AU)