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Arslan A, Topkaya E, Sezer M, Aksan S, Veli S. Investigation of microplastics in advanced biological wastewater treatment plant effluent. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116486. [PMID: 38781801 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, plastic pollution in the environment has also increased due to the increasing production and consumption of plastics worldwide. The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment from different sources is observed almost everywhere, especially in aquatic environments. A standard method for sampling, identification, and quantification of MPs in wastewater has not yet been established. In this study, it was aimed to determine the MPs and their characteristics in the effluent of an advanced biological domestic wastewater treatment plant. The seasonal changes of MPs in a year were revealed. Pre-treatments suitable for the studied wastewater were developed for visual determination of MPs. Fibers are the dominant type of MPs, with numbers ranging between 32.0 and 95.5 particle/L. MPs in five different polymer structures were determined by FTIR analysis. These are Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyester, Polyurethane and Polyethylene terephthalate. The results were evaluated according to QA/QC and determined to meet the standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla Arslan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41001 Kocaeli, Türkiye.
| | - Eylem Topkaya
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41001 Kocaeli, Türkiye
| | - Mesut Sezer
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41001 Kocaeli, Türkiye
| | - Serdar Aksan
- Department of Biology, Kocaeli University, 41001 Kocaeli, Türkiye
| | - Sevil Veli
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41001 Kocaeli, Türkiye
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2
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Ebbesen LG, Strange MV, Gunaalan K, Paulsen ML, Herrera A, Nielsen TG, Shashoua Y, Lindegren M, Almeda R. Do weathered microplastics impact the planktonic community? A mesocosm approach in the Baltic Sea. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 255:121500. [PMID: 38554636 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants of increasing concern in aquatic systems. However, little is still known about the impacts of weathered MPs on plankton at the community level after long-term exposure. In this study, we investigated the effects of weathered MPs on the structure and dynamics of a Baltic Sea planktonic community during ca. 5 weeks of exposure using a mesocosm approach (2 m3) mimicking natural conditions. MPs were obtained from micronized commercial materials of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyamide (nylon) previously weathered by thermal ageing and sunlight exposure. The planktonic community was exposed to 2 μg L-1 and 2 mg L-1 of MPs corresponding to measured particle concentrations (10-120 μm) of 680 MPs L-1 and 680 MPs mL-1, respectively. The abundance and composition of all size classes and groups of plankton and chlorophyll concentrations were periodically analyzed throughout the experiment. The population dynamics of the studied groups showed some variations between treatments, with negative and positive effects of MPs exhibited depending on the group and exposure time. The abundance of heterotrophic bacteria, pico- and nanophytoplankton, cryptophytes, and ciliates was lower in the treatment with the higher MP concentration than in the control at the last weeks of the exposure. The chlorophyll concentration and the abundances of heterotrophic nanoflagellates, Astromoeba, dinoflagellate, diatom, and metazooplankton were not negatively affected by the exposure to MPs and, in some cases, some groups showed even higher abundances in the MP treatments. Despite these tendencies, statistical analyses indicate that in most cases there were no statistically significant differences between treatments over the exposure period, even at very high exposure concentrations. Our results show that weathered MPs of the studied conventional plastic materials have minimal or negligible impact on planktonic communities after long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linea Gry Ebbesen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark; National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU AQUA) Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Markus Varlund Strange
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark; National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU AQUA) Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Kuddithamby Gunaalan
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU AQUA) Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | | | - Alicia Herrera
- EOMAR, ECOAQUA, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Torkel Gissel Nielsen
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU AQUA) Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Yvonne Shashoua
- Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Martin Lindegren
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU AQUA) Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Rodrigo Almeda
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU AQUA) Technical University of Denmark, Denmark; EOMAR, ECOAQUA, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
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Rathore C, Saha M, de Boer J, Desai A, Gupta P, Naik A, Subha HY. Unraveling the land-based discharge of microplastics from sewers to oceans - A comprehensive study and risk assessment in wastewaters of Goa, India. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169621. [PMID: 38157900 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Owing to their pervasive dispersion in the environment and their potential ramifications on both marine life and human health, microplastics (MPs) are of increasing concern. However, there is still a lack of research on the release of MPs from different land-based pathways like creeks, drainage outfalls, and conduits into coastal water systems in India. This study represents comprehensive research into the attribution of MPs in the estuarine system, specifically those emanating from wastewater sources in Panjim City, Goa, India. Urban wastewater collected from different locations in and around Panjim City exhibited values ranging from 79 ± 21 to 338 ± 7 MPs/L, with a prevalence of fibrous and black MP particles. The size range of the MPs at all sampling sites was 100-300 μm. Analysis by μ-FTIR revealed 35 distinct polymeric compositions in wastewater, with a dominance of polyacrylamide (PAM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyamide (PA). Additionally, primary and secondary MPs were studied to unravel the contributions from land-based sources. This included the quantification of MPs in ten samples from personal care products (PCPs) and twenty samples from washing machine effluents (WMEs). MPs in PCPs ranged from 1.8 to 1554 MPs/g. Microfibres and fragments were predominant in WMEs (3986 to 4898 MPs/L). This study suggests a strong relation between polymers found in wastewater effluent and those present in PCPs and WMEs. The identified polymers showed high polymer hazard indices (IV and V), posing a significant threat to the ecosystem and a potential risk to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayanika Rathore
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Mahua Saha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Jacob de Boer
- Vrije University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aniket Desai
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Priyansha Gupta
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Akshata Naik
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India
| | - Haritha Yespal Subha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India; Department of Marine Chemistry, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi 682506, India
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Ziajahromi S, Slynkova N, Dwyer J, Griffith M, Fernandes M, Jaeger JE, Leusch FDL. Comprehensive assessment of microplastics in Australian biosolids: Abundance, seasonal variation and potential transport to agroecosystems. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 250:121071. [PMID: 38171181 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.121071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Striving towards a circular economy, the application of treated sewage sludge (biosolids) to land is an opportunity to improve the condition of the soil and add essential nutrients, in turn reducing the need for fertilisers. However, there is an increasing concern about microplastic (MP) contamination of biosolids and their transport to terrestrial ecosystems. In Australia, agriculture is the largest biosolids end-user, however, there is limited understanding of MPs in Australian biosolids. Also, while the method to isolate MPs from biosolid is established, a need to extract and analyse MPs more efficiently is still pressing. In this study, we comprehensively quantified and characterised MPs in 146 biosolids samples collected from thirteen wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) including different seasons. We have optimised an oxidative-enzymatic purification method to overcome current limitations for MP identification in complex samples and accurately report MPs in biosolids. This method enabled removal of >93 % of dry weight of organic material and greatly facilitated the MPs instrumental analysis. The concentration of MPs (>20 µm) in all biosolids samples ranged from 11 to 150 MPs/g dry weight. Abundance of MPs was affected by seasons with higher abundance of MPs usually found during cold and wet seasons. Despite seasonal variations, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane and polymethyl methacrylate were the most abundant polymers. Smaller MPs (20 to 200 µm) comprised >70 % of all detected MPs with a clear negative linear relationship observed between MP size and abundance. Per capita concentration of MPs in biosolids across all studied WWTPs was 0.7 to 21 g MPs per person per year. Therefore, biosolids are an important sink and source of MPs to agroecosystems, emphasising the need to more comprehensively understand the fate, impact and risks associated with MPs on agricultural soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Ziajahromi
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport QLD 4222, Australia.
| | | | | | | | - Milena Fernandes
- South Australian Water Corporation, SA 5000, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Julia E Jaeger
- Eurofins Environment Testing Australia, VIC 3175, Australia
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport QLD 4222, Australia
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Contreras-Llin A, Diaz-Cruz MS. Microplastic removal in managed aquifer recharge using wastewater effluent. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:122967. [PMID: 38030113 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental issue, with its impacts on ecosystems and human health yet to be fully understood. This study aims to investigate the presence and distribution of MPs in the soil of a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) system, built with different reactive barriers of natural materials and irrigated with the secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). MPs were extracted from reactive barrier material following an approach based on the density separation of MPs with posterior oxidant digestion, combined with visual and chemical characterisation by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results revealed the widespread occurrence of MPs in the MAR soil samples. MPs concentration in the different barrier materials ranged from 60 to 236 n kg-1. The most dominant morphologies were fragments (60%) and fibers (17%), and the most abundant colour was white (51%), followed by transparent MPs (20%). Polypropylene (PP) was detected in all the samples with an abundance of 47%, followed by polyethylene (PE, 34%). The interplay of barrier composition significantly influences the retention of MPs, with compost (T5) and woodchips (T4) exhibiting the most notable retention rates. Remarkably, the outer layers of the reactive barriers display superior retention compared to the deeper layers. The findings of this study demonstrate the good performance of the MAR system in retaining MPs and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on MPs pollution in freshwater systems while providing insights into the dynamics of MPs transport and accumulation in soil. Such information can inform the development of effective wastewater management strategies to mitigate the impacts of these pollutants on water resources and safeguard the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Contreras-Llin
- ENFOCHEM, Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Silvia Diaz-Cruz
- ENFOCHEM, Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Pasquier G, Doyen P, Dehaut A, Veillet G, Duflos G, Amara R. Vertical distribution of microplastics in a river water column using an innovative sampling method. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1302. [PMID: 37828146 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11915-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to limitations of sampling methods, subsurface water is usually a less well-investigated compartment of the water column when scientists assess microplastic contamination. In this study, microplastic (MP) contamination was assessed in a freshwater river both in surface and subsurface using an innovative sampling method. Microplastic contamination in the lower part of the water column, i.e., near-bottom water and in sediments, was also studied. Three sampling campaigns were carried out during different weather conditions: stormy, rainy, and dry in order to observe their influence on the microplastics vertical distribution. No significant difference was observed between the abundance and types of MPs in surface and subsurface water. The proportion of polymer with theoretical density < 1 (polypropylene d = 0.9, polyethylene d = 0.91-0.95) and polystyrene (d = 0.1-1.06) in the surface and subsurface samples was 73.5%, and this proportion drops to 40.8% for the samples located in the near-bottom water and the sediments. Our results indicate that the MP concentration of the different compartments analyzed can be significantly influenced by rainfall during and prior to the sampling day. This study highlights that in shallow rivers, surface water sampling is representative of the water column MP contamination, but that sampling without taking environmental conditions into account may lead to erroneous estimation of MPs concentration and flux entering the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Pasquier
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, CNRS, IRD, Univ. Lille, UMR 8187-LOG-Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F-62930, Wimereux, France.
| | - Périne Doyen
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, UMRt 1158 BioEcoAgro, USC ANSES, INRAe, Univ. Artois, Univ. Lille, Univ. Picardie Jules Verne, Univ. Liège, Junia, 62200, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France
| | - Alexandre Dehaut
- ANSES-Laboratoire de Sécurité des Aliments, Boulevard du Bassin Napoléon, F-62200, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France
| | - Guillaume Veillet
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, CNRS, IRD, Univ. Lille, UMR 8187-LOG-Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F-62930, Wimereux, France
| | - Guillaume Duflos
- ANSES-Laboratoire de Sécurité des Aliments, Boulevard du Bassin Napoléon, F-62200, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France
| | - Rachid Amara
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, CNRS, IRD, Univ. Lille, UMR 8187-LOG-Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F-62930, Wimereux, France
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Can T, Üstün GE, Kaya Y. Characteristics and seasonal variation of microplastics in the wastewater treatment plant: The case of Bursa deep sea discharge. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115281. [PMID: 37454472 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant that can be detected in all ecosystems, especially aquatic ecosystems. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important point sources of MP release into the sea. In this study, the characteristics of MPs in wastewater and sludge samples taken from different units of WWTP in Bursa-Gemlik district for 12 months were investigated. Wastewater and sludge samples collected from 7 different points were classified as size, shape, color, and counted. The amount of MP in the influent and effluent of the WWTP, respectively; 107.1 ± 40.2 MP/L and 4.1 ± 1.1 MP/L. Although the MP removal efficiency of the WWTP is 96.17 %, approximately 74,825,000 MP is discharged into the Marmara Sea every day. The amount of MP in the sludge is 14.3 ± 7.1 MP/g. The amount of MP accumulated in 22tons of waste sludge formed daily in WWTP was calculated as 314,600,000 MP, and the annual accumulated amount was calculated as approximately 1.15 × 1011 MP. The MPs in the WWTP were mainly 1-0.5 mm in size. Fibers were the dominant MP shape in both the wastewater and sludge samples. Black and transparent were the dominant MP colors. Seven different polymer types of MPs were detected, which were mainly types of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Despite the high removal efficiency in the investigated WWTP, it has been shown that it acts as an important source of MPs to the sea ecosystem due to the high discharge rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuğba Can
- Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bursa 16059, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Ekrem Üstün
- Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bursa 16059, Turkey.
| | - Yunus Kaya
- Bursa Technical University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, 16190 Bursa, Turkey
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Akdemir T, Gedik K. Microplastic emission trends in Turkish primary and secondary municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents discharged into the Sea of Marmara and Black Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116188. [PMID: 37230218 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are recognized as one of the primary sources of microplastics, a class of contaminants that has lately gained attention. The quantity of MP that WWTPs release into the environment depends on several factors, including the treatment type, season, and population serviced. MP abundance and characterization were explored in 15 WWTP effluent waters, 9 discharged to the Black Sea from Türkiye and 6 to the Marmara Sea, with varying population densities and treatment methods. The mean MP abundance in primary treatment WWTPs (76.25 ± 49.20 MP L-1) was found to be substantially greater than that in secondary treatment WWTPs (20.57 ± 21.56 MP L-1) (p<0.05). MPs in WWTP effluent waters showed significant seasonal and spatial differences (Two Way ANOVA, Tukey, p<0.05). However, no positive correlation was detected between the population serviced and MP abundance in effluent waters. While the fiber was the dominant shape (49.5%) among MPs in effluent waters, ≈80% of the length was <1000 μm. MPs are classified into polymer types as follows: polyethylene terephthalate (34.9%) > polypropylene (32.4%) > polyethylene (19.9%) > polyamide (11%) > polystyrene (1.2%) > polyvinyl chloride (0.6%). With effluent waters from the WWTPs tested, we calculated that 1.24x1010 daily MPs are discharged into the Black Sea while 4.95x1010 MPs are into the Marmara Sea, for a combined annual discharge of 2.26x1013 MPs highlighting that WWTPs are key contributors of MP in Turkish coastal waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tolga Akdemir
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Vocational School of Technical Sciences, 53100, Rize, Turkiye
| | - Kenan Gedik
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Vocational School of Technical Sciences, 53100, Rize, Turkiye.
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Acarer S. A review of microplastic removal from water and wastewater by membrane technologies. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2023; 88:199-219. [PMID: 37452543 PMCID: wst_2023_186 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) cannot be completely removed from water/wastewater in conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). According to the literature analysis, membrane technologies, one of the advanced treatment technologies, are the most effective and promising technologies for MP removal from water and wastewater. In this paper, firstly, the properties of MPs commonly present in WWTPs/DWTPs and the MP removal efficiency of WWTPs/DWTPs are briefly reviewed. In addition, research studies on MP removal from water/wastewater by microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO), and membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are reviewed. In the next section, membrane filtration is compared with other methods used for MP removal from water/wastewater, and the advantages/disadvantages of the removal methods are discussed. Moreover, the problem of membrane fouling with MPs during filtration and the potential for MP release from polymeric membrane structure to water/wastewater are discussed. Finally, based on the studies in the literature, the current status and research deficiencies of MP removal by membrane technologies are identified, and recommendations are made for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seren Acarer
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Avcılar, İstanbul 34320, Turkey E-mail:
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Pashaei R, Sabaliauskaitė V, Suzdalev S, Balčiūnas A, Putna-Nimane I, Rees RM, Dzingelevičienė R. Assessing the Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics in Surface Freshwater and Wastewaters of Latvia and Lithuania. TOXICS 2023; 11:292. [PMID: 37112519 PMCID: PMC10146209 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic concentrations in surface water and wastewater collected from Daugavpils and Liepaja cities in Latvia, as well as Klaipeda and Siauliai cities in Lithuania, were measured in July and December 2021. Using optical microscopy, polymer composition was characterized using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The average abundance of microplastics in surface water and wastewater samples was 16.63 ± 20.29 particles/L. The dominant shape group of microplastics in water was fiber, with dominant colors found to be blue (61%), black (36%), and red (3%) in Latvia. Similar distribution in Lithuania was found, i.e., fiber (95%) and fragments (5%) with dominant colors, such as blue (53%), black (30%), red (9%), yellow (5%), and transparent (3%). The micro-Raman spectroscopy spectra of visible microplastics were identified to be polyethylene terephthalate (33%) and polyvinyl chloride (33%), nylon (12%), polyester (PS) (11%), and high-density polyethylene (11%). In the study area, municipal and hospital wastewater from catchment areas were the main reasons for the contamination of microplastics in the surface water and wastewater of Latvia and Lithuania. It is possible to reduce pollution loads by implementing measures such as raising awareness, installing more high-tech wastewater treatment plants, and reducing plastic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Pashaei
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | | | - Sergej Suzdalev
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Arūnas Balčiūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | | | - Robert M. Rees
- Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Reda Dzingelevičienė
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
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