Fundamental Studies on Bubble-Microplastic Interaction in Sodium Chloride for Microplastic Recovery via Flotation

This PhD thesis explores how microplastics interact with bubbles in salty water to improve their removal from water. The study found that higher salt levels make microplastics more likely to stick to bubbles, making it easier to remove them through flotation. By measuring various factors to quantify bubble-particle attachment, the research showed that polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics attach more readily to bubbles as salt concentration increases. Experiments using a special flotation column confirmed these findings, showing improved recovery rates for both types of microplastics with more salt. This research helps optimize techniques for cleaning microplastics from water.