[sonium]

TLDR: a non-polar, non-toxic, ferromagnetic agent is added to the contaminated water. Plastic particles then attach to the agent due to their non-polar nature. The ferromagnetic agent with absorbed micro plastics subsequently can be removed by a magnet. The process removes >90% of micro plastics.

[Updated for clarity]

[pandemic_region]

What is the cost of such agent and is the agent in itself toxic would be my first questions ...

[Xylakant]

It's vegetable oil mixed with iron oxide (magnetite), so I'd expect indigestion if you consume it in large quantities. Other than that it's probably harmless.

I wonder if the agent is reusable or whether you end up with clean water and waste-oil which you need to dispose of.

[dmos62]

How come a magnet attracts plastic particles?

[dmos62]

To answer my own question. It's vegetable oil mixed with magnetic powder. It's the oil that attracts plastic, but it's the magnetic powder that let's you collect it with a magnet.

[hyperman1]

As I understand it, he 'glues' metal to the plastic. The magnet picks up the metal, and the glued-on plastic comes along for the ride.

Now anyone with basic chemical knowledge will probably shoot me for abusing the word glued like this, so feel free to correct.