Surface characteristic and sinking behavior modifications of microplastics during potassium permanganate pre-oxidation

Microplastics (MPs) occur in the source water of worldwide drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Pre-oxidation treatments become the initial stage for MPs treatment in DWTPs. Investigating the modifications of MPs after pre-oxidations is important to understand their fate in DWTPs. In this study, potassium permanganate oxidation (PPO) was applied to treat four high abundant MPs in DWTPs, including polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS). Influences of polymer types, sizes and pH were considered. After 10 mg L−1 PPO, only slight corrosions were observed on all MPs. Whereas, the appearances of O-Mn spectrum and the observation of nano-scale particles indicated the generation of nascent state Mn-oxides (MnO2) on MPs surface. This adhesion of MnO2 contributed to increasing density and hydrophilicity. As a result, the sinking performance of MPs was enhanced, e.g. the sinking ratio of 6.5 µm MPs increased 30% (PET), 20% (PVC) and 30% (PS) compared with pristine ones upon pH 7 PPO. These results implied that the practical PPO can enhance the sinking behavior of MPs. Of note, PE seems to be persistent and requires special concern.