Researchers from the University of British Colombia have developed a plant filter, known as “Biocap”, that can effectively delay up to 99.9% of microplastic particles in water. This breakthrough technology offers a scalable and safe solution to one of the major ecological challenges of our time. The study, conducted by scientists at the university, was published in the journal Advanced Materials (source).
The issue of microplastic contamination in water sources stems from the decay of consumer goods and industrial waste. Dr. Orlando Rohas, the scientific director of the institute and co-author of the project, explains that preventing the ingestion of these tiny plastic fragments in reservoirs presents a difficult task. The fragments come in different sizes, shapes, and electric charges, making isolation and removal particularly challenging.
According to Dr. Rohas, “Microplastics are a huge problem. Almost all drinking water is contaminated, and by 2025, over 10 billion tons of improperly disposed waste will be dispersed in the environment.”
To conduct their experiment, the researchers analyzed microplastic particles that were generated from conventional polypropylene tea bags. The “Biocap” filter successfully detained between 95.2% and 99.9% of these particles, with the efficiency depending on the structure and type of plastic.
The key to the effectiveness of the “Biocap” filter lies in the addition of tannins, natural plant compounds, to a layer of wood dust. This combination creates a material that effectively filters out toxic substances. While the testing is still ongoing, the researchers believe that this improved filter can be utilized across various industries.
Dr. Rohas highlights that “the majority of previously proposed methods are either too expensive or difficult to adapt to different conditions. We offer an alternative that can be adjusted for both household and municipal water purification systems. Our filter, unlike plastic ones, does not exacerbate the pollution process. It is composed of renewable and biodegradable materials, including tannic acids derived from plants, cortex, wood, leaves, and wood chips—a readily available and renewable by-product of the forest industry.”