Mind Boggling Magnetic Absorbent Can Remove Microplastics In Just One Hour

Synthetic plastic does not break down organically, because it is man-made plastic.

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Microplastics can be found everywhere on Earth, from deep in the oceans to inside wildlife and even in our own bodies.

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The RMIT University research team in Melbourne has created a magnetic nanoplate absorbent that can remove smaller microplastics at a much faster rate than existing technologies.

The absorbent takes the form of a powder additive that attracts microplastics and dissolved pollutants and can remove them in just one hour.

The new technology can remove microplastics that are 1,000 times smaller than those that existing wastewater treatment plants can currently remove.

The team's study suggests a promising pathway to addressing the removal of mixed contaminants from water in a single process.

The magnetic absorbent is cheap, sustainable, and creates no secondary pollutants or additional carbon footprint.

The researchers hope that their nano-pillared absorbent can be used by wastewater treatment plants to more efficiently and thoroughly clean their water, and they are seeking industrial partners to make that happen.