A comprehensive review on current progress in microplastics removal from industrial and domestic wastewater

Microplastic pollution is a global concern due to its adverse effects on the ecosystem. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 mm that pose a serious threat to the environment. The main aim of this review is to assess the status of microplastic pollution and its mitigation. Microplastics are generated by photodegradation, microbial degradation, and mechanical forces. The ingestion of microplastics leads to the dysfunction of many organs, such as the liver, kidneys, brain, etc., and can induce cancer cell proliferation. Microplastics enter the food chain and affect the reproduction rate of aquatic organisms, including human beings. Different techniques, such as physical, chemical, and biological methods, are used for the mitigation of microplastics from wastewater. The environmental impact of MPs' emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is assessed by life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA). The role of the circular economy (CE), along with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), in reducing microplastic pollution is discussed in this review. The futuristic approaches, such as Nanorobotics and Micro-Nano Bubbles (MNB) for microplastic removal, are also highlighted. Graphical Abstract