Effects of relative microplastic–biochar sizes and biofilm formation on fragmental microplastic retention in biochar filters

Microplastics (MPs) pose significant risks to aquatic life and human health. Conventional water treatment is ineffective in removing MPs, demanding alternative technologies. Biochar exhibits a potential for removing MPs through adsorption and filtration. The efficiency of biochar derived from macadamia (Macadamia Integrifolia) nutshells on MP removal from contaminated water was assessed in fixed-bed column tests at environmentally relevant MP concentrations in upward flowing regime. Fragmental polyethylene MPs (50-100 and 100-300 μm) were tested on the effects of the operating conditions, the relative MP-biochar size ratios (0.05-0.14 and 0.13-0.36 for small and large MPs), and biofilm formation on their retention in the biochar bed. The interactions between MPs and biochar are apparently electrostatically repulsive. Small biochar demonstrated >78% removal of the MPs at flow rates of 2.78 × 10^-5, 2.78 × 10^-4, or 1.39 × 10^-3 m/s. Increasing the MP influent concentrations significantly increased the MP removal by the filter. The lower flow rates increase the MP removal with both MP influent concentrations and MP sizes, showing a maximum of 96% removal of small MP. The removal of large MPs by biochar filters (i.e. MP-biochar size ratio: 0.13-0.36) is significantly different when the highest flow rate is used. This difference moderates as the flow rates and MP size decline. Biofilm formation at its early stage altered the porous characteristics and surface morphology of the biochar and enhanced the MP removal. Overall, this study provides insights into the application of biochar filters in tertiary wastewater treatment.