Journal of Water and Wastewater Science and Engineering

Journal of Water and Wastewater Science and Engineering

Study on the Ability of Scenedesmus Obliquus in the Bio-Removal of Polyethylene Microplastics from Aquatic Environments and Optimization of the Bio-removal Effective Parameters

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD Student, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
4 Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Microplastics refer to plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm, which create significant environmental problems due to their small size, the lack of sufficient technology for removal, and the potential to cause side effects. The microalga scenedesmus obliquus has the ability to secrete ligninolytic enzymes and exopolysaccharides, enabling it to degrade microplastics and utilize them as a carbon source. In the present study, by optimizing the cultivation conditions of scenedesmus obliquus, the growth rate of the microalgae was enhanced, and subsequently, the feasibility of polyethylene microplastics bioremoval and the effects of various parameters on this process were investigated. According to the results obtained, the highest percentage of polyethylene microplastic removal was achieved at an optical density of 1 for scenedesmus, a stirring speed of 150 rpm, and a microplastic size of 45 µm. Gel chromatography analysis showed that the molecular weight of the microplastic decreased by approximately 14% after bioremoval process. Additionally, FTIR analysis indicated that the removal of the carbonyl functional group in the wavelength range of 1400-1600 nm could be considered as a factor confirming the bioremoval of polyethylene microplastics.
Keywords

 
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Volume 10, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 41-50

  • Receive Date 14 December 2024
  • Revise Date 06 March 2025
  • Accept Date 13 July 2025