Microplastics pollution in wastewater: Characteristics, occurrence and removal technologies

Microplastics (MPs) are one of the emerging pollutants that have gained the most attention recently. The widespread distribution and potential for its adverse impact on human health and the ecosystem have been warned. MPs have been introduced into the environment by various routes such as direct disposal through human activities, textile industry and wastewater treatment systems. Recently, the reduction of MPs from wastewater treatment systems has been attracted much attention from the scientific community. There have been many reviews on the emission sources, distribution and impacts of MP in environment. However, the better understanding of MPs removal efficiencies by different wastewater treatment technologies has not been reviewed and discussed. Therefore, the objective of this review is to provide technologies to be applied in MPs removal. In addition, basic knowledge about MPs in water body such as characteristics, emission sources, transport path and its impact on human health and the ecosystem was also presented and discussed. This review is expected to provide useful information to scientists as well as decision makers to continue researching, developing and proposing an effective strategy to control and prevent water pollution from MPs. [Display omitted] •Characteristics, emission sources and transport path of microplastics were presented.•Effects of microplastics on human health and ecosystem were discussed.•Performance of existing microplastics removal technologies were reviewed.•Future perspectives of technologies for microplastics removal are addressed.