Development and Evaluation of a Low-Cost Bio-Adsorptive Filter Insert (DrainGuard) for Stormwater Microplastic Remediation
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Sub-millimeter microplastics (100–300 μm) in urban stormwater runoff represent a significant, unaddressed pathway for aquatic pollution. Conventional catch basins and physical interception methods lack the retention efficiency required to capture fine polyolefin fragments during high-velocity first-flush events. This study presents DrainGuard, a modular, decentralized storm drain filter insert utilizing a stratified bio-adsorptive matrix composed of biogenic cockleshell sand and agricultural coconut coir. A 46 mm inner diameter PVC column featuring a stratified bed (4 cm upper sand / 12 cm coconut coir / 4 cm lower sand) was evaluated at a baseline hydraulic flow rate of Qbase = 800 mL/min. Synthetic stormwater spiked with post-consumer polyolefin fragments (≈0.1 g) was introduced to assess mechanical capture efficiency and retention dynamics. Optical inspection (60x zoom) confirmed particulate interception and primary retention within the upper sand layer, with near zero microplastic detection in the post-filtration effluent, all while maintaining stable fluid transmission without rapid hydraulic failure. By repurposing low-cost, abundant biogenic materials, DrainGuard provides an accessible, sustainable, and highly effective framework for localized microplastic remediation in urban stormwater drainage systems.
Source: ChemRxiv
Author: Nehir Çelebi
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7221806970