Current trends in microplastic removal using biodegradation approaches and advancement A review
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Date
2026
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Abstract
Due to improper disposal and mismanagement of plastic waste, plastic converted into microplastic when exposed
to the environment causes tremendous burdens to nature. It becomes the most persistent pollutant in air, water,
and land environments due to the inert property of plastic. It enters the environment from various sources, such
as industrial, household, and agricultural waste, affecting the lives of humans, other living beings, and the entire
ecosystem. Much research and experimentation have been conducted to eliminate microplastics from the envi
ronment with the help of conventional methods, such as physical, chemical, and biological, which remove
microplastics but are inefficient in eliminating them from the environment. Some processes are good for nature
and the environment, as they can cause secondary pollution. Therefore, there is a need for some scientifically
proven new methods to achieve the required level of results and be environmentally friendly. Bioremediation is a
sound technique used to degrade plastic with the help of bacteria, fungi, algae, and insects. However, some
studies reveal that the pretreatment (UV, thermal, chemical, and physical) can change the inert property of
plastic, making it more available to the microbes and increasing the biodegradation process without affecting the
microbes’ life. Such a treatment gives hope for removing plastic from the environment in an efficient way.