With reference to aluminum-based water-treatment residual (WTR) as a filtration medium, consider the following statements: 1. The repurposed aluminum-based WTR filter achieved a maximum microplastic removal efficiency of 86.9%. 2. The study demonstrated the filter's efficiency under real-world conditions rather than just laboratory samples. 3. WTR is a material generated during the purification process containing concentrated solids. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Aluminum waste repurposed as microplastic filter, removes up to 97.1%

GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims· 9 September 2026

Circular economy and waste valorization: a relevant GS3 Science & Technology and Environment case study.

Why in news

Researchers published a study in Water Research (2026) demonstrating that aluminum-based water-treatment residual (WTR) can be repurposed as a filter to remove up to 97.1% of microplastics from water.

Background

The study tested aluminum-based water-treatment residual (WTR) under real-world conditions rather than just laboratory samples. The filtration medium achieved removal efficiencies ranging from 86.9% to 97.1% depending on the specific conditions and particles.

Facts for Prelims

S&TWTR (Water-Treatment Residual) is a material generated during the purification process containing concentrated solids.
FactThe repurposed aluminum-based WTR filter achieved a maximum microplastic removal efficiency of 97.1%.
S&TThe study was published in the journal Water Research in 2026.

Prelims practice question

With reference to aluminum-based water-treatment residual (WTR) as a filtration medium, consider the following statements:

The repurposed aluminum-based WTR filter achieved a maximum microplastic removal efficiency of 86.9%.
The study demonstrated the filter's efficiency under real-world conditions rather than just laboratory samples.
WTR is a material generated during the purification process containing concentrated solids.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)2 only
(b)1 and 3 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Show answer

Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: The maximum removal efficiency achieved was 97.1%.

For Mains

Q. Discuss how the adoption of circular economy principles in waste management can address the dual challenges of industrial waste disposal and microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Circular economy: Repurposing water-treatment residuals as filtration media to reduce waste disposal costs
Pollution mitigation: Addressing the persistence of microplastics in aquatic environments through low-cost filtration
Resource efficiency: Transitioning from linear waste disposal to secondary material utilization in water purification

Keywords: Circular Economy · Microplastics · Water Treatment Residuals · Waste Valorization · Filtration Efficiency

Read the full news →Source: Times of India ↗Also: GS3 · Pollution (air, water, plastic)Also: GS3 · Cropping patterns & irrigation

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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.