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Kukkola A, Schneidewind U, Haverson L, Kelleher L, Drummond JD, Sambrook Smith G, Lynch I, Krause S. Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads. ACS ES&T WATER 2024; 4:2309-2319. [PMID: 38752202 PMCID: PMC11091885 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.4c00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been described as key contributors of microplastics (MPs) to aquatic systems, yet temporal fluctuations in MP concentrations and loads downstream are underexplored. This study investigated how different sampling frequencies (hourly, weekly, and monthly) affect MP estimates in a stream linked to a single WWTP. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, considerable hourly variations in MP concentrations were discovered, while the polymer composition remained consistent. This temporal variability in MP loads was influenced by MP concentration, discharge rates, or a mix of both. These results show a high uncertainty, as relying on sparse snapshot samples combined with annual discharge data led to significant uncertainties in MP load estimates (over- and/or underestimation of emissions by 3.8 billion MPs annually at this site). Our findings stress the necessity of higher-frequency sampling for better comprehending the hydrodynamic factors influencing MP transport. This improved understanding enables a more accurate quantification of MP dynamics, crucial for downstream impact assessments. Therefore, preliminary reconnaissance campaigns are essential for designing extended, representative site-monitoring programs and ensuring more precise trend predictions on a larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kukkola
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Uwe Schneidewind
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Lee Haverson
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Liam Kelleher
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
- Institute
of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SA, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer D. Drummond
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Gregory Sambrook Smith
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
- Institute
of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SA, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Krause
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
- LEHNA
- Laboratoire d’ecologie des hydrosystemes naturels et anthropises, University of Lyon, Darwin C & Forel, 3-6 Rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
- Institute
of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SA, United Kingdom
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2
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Acarer Arat S. A review of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants in Türkiye: Characteristics, removal efficiency, mitigation strategies for microplastic pollution and future perspective. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 89:1771-1786. [PMID: 38619902 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2024.082] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The effluent of WWTPs is an important source of microplastics (MP) for the aquatic environment. In this review study, MPs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Türkiye and their removal from WWTPs are reviewed for the first time. First, MP characteristics in the influent and effluent of WWTPs in Türkiye are discussed. In the next section, the abundance of MPs in the influent and effluent of WWTPs in Türkiye and the MP removal efficiency of WWTPs in Türkiye are evaluated. Then, the results of studies on MP abundance and characteristics in Türkiye's aquatic environments are presented and suggestions are made to reduce MPs released from WWTPs into the receiving environments. Strategies for reducing MPs released to the receiving environment from WWTPs of Türkiye are summarized. In the last section, research gaps regarding MPs in WWTPs in Türkiye are identified and suggestions are made for future studies. This review paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the abundance, dominant characteristics, and removal of MPs in WWTPs in Türkiye, as well as the current status and deficiencies in Türkiye. Therefore, this review can serve as a scientific guide to improve the MP removal efficiency of WWTPs in Türkiye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seren Acarer Arat
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Avcılar, 34320 Istanbul, Türkiye E-mail:
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3
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Weir EM, Kidd KA, Hamilton BM, Wu J, Servos MR, Bartlett AJ, Tetreault GR, Gillis PL. Microparticles in Wild and Caged Biota, Sediments, and Water Relative to Large Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 38450757 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenically modified microparticles including microplastics are present in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents; however, it is unclear whether biotic exposures are elevated downstream of these outfalls. In the fall of 2019, the present study examined whether microparticle levels in resident fish, environmental samples, and caged organisms were elevated near the Waterloo and Kitchener WWTP outfalls along the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. Wild rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum) were collected from a total of 10 sites upstream and downstream of both WWTPs, along with surface water and sediment samples to assess spatial patterns over an approximately 70-km river stretch. Amphipods (Hyalella azteca), fluted-shell mussels (Lasmigona costata), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were also caged upstream and downstream of one WWTP for 14 or 28 days. Whole amphipods, fish digestive tracts, and mussel tissues (hemolymph, digestive glands, gills) were digested with potassium hydroxide, whereas environmental samples were processed using filtration and density separation. Visual identification, measurement, and chemical confirmation (subset only) of microparticles were completed. Elevated abiotic microparticles were found at several upstream reference sites as well as at one or both wastewater-impacted sites. Microparticles in amphipods, all mussel tissues, and wild fish did not show patterns indicative of increased exposures downstream of effluent discharges. In contrast, elevated microparticle counts were found in trout caged directly downstream of the outfall. Across all samples, cellulose fibers (mainly blue and clear colors) were the most common. Overall, results suggest little influence of WWTP effluents on microparticles in biota but rather a ubiquitous presence across most sites that indicates the importance of other point and nonpoint sources to this system. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-15. © 2024 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie M Weir
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen A Kidd
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- School of Earth, Environment and Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bonnie M Hamilton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiabao Wu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark R Servos
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adrienne J Bartlett
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gerald R Tetreault
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia L Gillis
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Imbulana S, Tanaka S, Moriya A, Oluwoye I. Inter-event and intra-event dynamics of microplastic emissions in an urban river during rainfall episodes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 243:117882. [PMID: 38070853 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117882] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Urban rivers represent the major conduits for land-sourced microplastics in the global oceans, yet the real-time dynamics of their emissions in rivers during rainfall (and runoff) events are poorly understood. Herein, we report the results of high-frequency sampling of microplastic particles (MPs) and fibers (MPFs) in the surface water of an urban river in Japan over the course of three rainfall events (i.e., light, moderate, and heavy rainfalls). The event mean concentrations (EMCs) of MPs amounted to 35,000 items/m3, 929,000 items/m3, and 331,000 items/m3; and the corresponding total loads were 0.5 kg, 19.8 kg, and 35.0 kg for light, moderate and heavy rainfalls, respectively. The inter-event total loads of MPs correlate well with the total rainfall, while the concentrations were linked with the number of antecedent dry days. The dynamic trends show that <2000 μm MPs displayed first flush effects during light to moderate rainfall events (>50% mass discharged with the initial 20-40% of flow). Small-sized MPs (10-40 μm) mobilized rapidly at lower rainfall intensities, whereas MPs over 2000 μm discharged immediately after the peak rainfall intensity. Moreover, <70 μm MPs depicted a surge following heavy rainfall events due to turbulent flow conditions reverting the deposited MPs into suspension. Overall, the three events increased the loads by 4-110 folds, and EMCs by 10-350 folds compared to the concentrations during dry weather while portraying a significant impact on 300-1000 μm MPs. The dynamics of MPs were correlated with those of suspended solids in river water, and the characteristics were comparable to the same of road dust sampled in Japan. Although the dynamic trends between MPs and MPFs in river water were comparable, MPFs were relatively less impacted by rain, likely due to the intervention of separate sewer systems in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachithra Imbulana
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Shuhei Tanaka
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Asami Moriya
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ibukun Oluwoye
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan; Curtin Corrosion Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
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5
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Na SH, Kim MJ, Kim J, Batool R, Cho K, Chung J, Lee S, Kim EJ. Fate and potential risks of microplastic fibers and fragments in water and wastewater treatment processes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 463:132938. [PMID: 37948781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Water and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) receive various types of microplastics (MPs), with fibers and fragments being dominant shapes. Here we investigated the removal behavior and transformation of MPs (polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate fibers and fragments) in simulated water and wastewater treatment units, including activated sludge process, coagulation, sand filtration, and advanced oxidation/disinfection. Sand filtration demonstrated the highest average efficiency in removing MPs (98 %), followed by activated sludge process (61 %) and coagulation (55 %), which was associated with their physicochemical properties (shape, size, density, surface functional groups, etc). In activated sludge process and coagulation, the polymer type had a greater impact on the removal of MPs than the particle shape, while in sand filtration, the particle shape played a more important role. When subjected to the long-term operation and backwashing of sand filters, approximately 15 % of the initially filtered fragments broke through the sand media, with nearly no fibers escaping. UV-based advanced oxidation and chlorination induced the leaching of dissolved organic matters with different molecular characteristics from fragment MPs, resulting in varying levels of cytotoxicity and bacterial toxicity. Our study provides important information for predicting the fate of MPs and mitigating their impacts in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Heon Na
- Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea; Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Min-Ji Kim
- Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Jihee Kim
- Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Rida Batool
- Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea; Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Kyungjin Cho
- Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea; Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Jaeshik Chung
- Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea; Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Seunghak Lee
- Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea; Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Eun-Ju Kim
- Water Cycle Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea; Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea.
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6
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Khedre AM, Ramadan SA, Ashry A, Alaraby M. Interactions between microplastics and Culex sp. larvae in wastewater. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2024; 96:e11003. [PMID: 38385906 DOI: 10.1002/wer.11003] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a growing issue because they endanger both aquatic organisms and humans. Studies have indicated that wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the major contributors to MPs in the environment. However, studies on the abundance of MP contamination in WWTPs and its transmission into aquatic organisms are still scarce, especially in Egypt. The goal of this study was to examine the temporal fluctuations in the distribution of MPs in surface water and the dominant macroinvertebrate fauna (Culex sp. larvae) in a fixed wastewater basin in Sohag Governorate, Egypt. The average of MPs in the surface water was 3.01 ± 0.9 particles/L. The results indicated to seasonal variation of MP abundance in the wastewater basin that was significantly higher in winter than in the other seasons. The risk index for polymers (H), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (RI) were used to assess the degree of MP contamination. The basin has moderate H values (<1000) because of the presence of polymers with moderate hazard scores such as polyester (PES), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). According to the PLI values, surface water is extremely contaminated with MPs (PLI: 88 to 120). The RI values of surface water showed higher ecological risk (level V). MPs in Culex sp. larvae were seasonally changed with an 85% detection rate, and an abundance average of 0.24 ± 0.65 particles/ind, MP concentration in Culex sp. larvae was influenced by the MP characters (shape, color, and polymer). The larvae of Culex sp. showed a greater preference for black and red fibrous polyester (PES) with sizes (<1000 μm) of MPs. These findings suggest that Culex sp. larvae prefer ingesting MPs that resemble their food. It is possible to overestimate Culex sp.'s preference for lower sizes because of their catabolism of MPs. To better understand the preferences of Culex sp. larvae for MPs, further controlled trials should be conducted. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Wastewater is highly contaminated with microplastics (MPs) in the different seasons. First report of detection of the seasonal abundance of MP in Culex sp. larvae. Culex sp. larvae showed a stronger feeding preference for MPs with specific characteristics. Smaller size and blue polyester fibers were the dominant characteristics of MPs in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza M Khedre
- Group of Entomology and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Sohag University (82524), Sohag, Egypt
| | - Somaia A Ramadan
- Group of Entomology and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Sohag University (82524), Sohag, Egypt
| | - Ali Ashry
- Group of Entomology and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Sohag University (82524), Sohag, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Alaraby
- Group of Entomology and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Sohag University (82524), Sohag, Egypt
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7
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Imbulana S, Tanaka S, Yukioka S, Oluwoye I. Occurrence and distribution of plastic particles (10-25,000 μm) and microfibers in the surface water of an urban river network in Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 196:92. [PMID: 38148350 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12221-6] [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: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Urban rivers remain the key conduits conveying land-sourced plastics into the ocean. However, detailed information is limited on the concurrent evaluation over a wide array of particle size-specific abundances, characteristics, and distribution patterns of plastics in riverine environments. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive assessment of plastic pollution in an urban river network in Japan by analyzing mesoplastics (5000-25,000 μm), large microplastics (300-5000 μm), small microplastics (SMPs, 10-300 μm), and microplastic-fibers (MPFs, 10-5000 μm) concurrently, for the first time. Sampling was conducted at seven stations in the Kamo and Katsura Rivers flowing across metropolitan Kyoto City. The analytical procedures involved infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence-staining microscopy. The concentrations of plastics were moderate compared to the global reports and gradually increased along the river flow (3550-15,840 items/m3; 180-13,180 μg/m3), mostly due to urban discharges via non-point sources. The number concentrations increased with decreasing particle size, marking 99.94% of SMPs, including 50% smaller than 40 μm. Conversely, mass concentrations decreased, exhibiting 96% larger than 1000 μm (64% mesoplastics including 20% around 5000 μm), along with 2% SMPs. Polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl alcohol were distinct among SMPs, with PE indicating higher susceptibility to fragmentation compared to polypropylene and other polymer types. MPF concentrations were homogeneous throughout the watershed (1470-3600 items/m3; 520-1060 μg/m3), with a higher proportion of fibers smaller than 1000 μm (86%), apparently originating from polyethylene terephthalate/nylon/acrylic-like textile fibers. The proportion of MPFs surpassed particles within 100-3000 μm and was considerably high around 300 μm (> 98%). The river network of Kyoto conveys billions of tiny microplastics to the Yodo River, the primary water resource downstream, within a dry day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachithra Imbulana
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Shuhei Tanaka
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Satoru Yukioka
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ibukun Oluwoye
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
- Curtin Corrosion Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
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8
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Parashar N, Hait S. Abundance, characterization, and removal of microplastics in different technology-based sewage treatment plants discharging into the middle stretch of the Ganga River, India. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167099. [PMID: 37730063 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167099] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Sewage treatment plants (STPs) are considered as a prominent source for releasing microplastics (MPs) into the riverine systems. Though MPs abundance and removal efficacy in different secondary treatment technique-based STPs have been extensively studied worldwide, such studies are scarce in Indian conditions. Herein, this study comprehensively assesses MPs abundance, characterization, and their removal in the selected secondary treatment technique-based STPs discharging into the middle stretch of the Ganga River in India. MPs concentration (n/L) in influent and effluent of the STPs varied between 42 ± 10 to 150 ± 19 and 3 ± 1 to 22 ± 5, respectively. Overall, the primary treatment stage was observed to remove MPs by 23-42 %, while the secondary treatment stage removed MPs by 67-90 %. Selected technique-based STPs exhibited varying MPs removal efficacies as follows: SBR (94 %), TF (90 %), AL (88 %), UASB (87 %), ASP (85 %), FAB (84 %), and Bio-tower (77 %). MPs ranging from 50 to 250 μm were the dominant sizes, with PP, PE, and PS being the prevalent polymers. The Ganga River receives about 3 × 108 MPs/day from STP effluents, and an estimated 4.5 × 107 MPs/day are released via the sludge. This comprehensive assessment of MPs abundance and removal from different technology-based Indian STPs will allow the comparison of the generated dataset with similar studies worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Parashar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar 801 106, India
| | - Subrata Hait
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar 801 106, India.
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9
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Xu Z, Zhai X, Bai X. Amplifiers of environmental risk of microplastics in sewage sludge: Thermal drying treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167029. [PMID: 37704158 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge was already identified as an important source of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. Therefore, investigating the effects of sludge treatment processes on sludge-based MPs is essential for understanding the environmental risks and controlling their release. This study investigated the occurrence characteristics and elucidated the fragmentation mechanism of sludge-based MPs before and after the thermal drying treatment of sludge. The results showed that this treatment increased the abundance of sludge-based MPs by about 10-fold, with enhanced fragmentation and fracture parameters, and increased the abundance of <100 μm MPs to >60 %. Remarkably, both polypropylene-microplastics (PP-MPs) and polyethylene terephthalate-microplastics (PET-MPs) did not show significant chemical aging. The structural analysis showed that the molecular chain disorientation and secondary crystallization of PP-MPs and PET-MPs occurred. These transformations caused the contraction of the polymer molecular chains and the generation of micro-mechanical stresses, leading to the formation of warpage structures and stress cracking on the MPs' surface. These phenomena also contributed to the further fragmentation of the MPs and the development of finer MPs particles. The findings of the present investigations emphasize that the thermal drying of sewage sludge amplifies the environmental risk of sludge-based MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjia Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Xue Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Xue Bai
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
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Franco AA, Iglesias-Arroyo D, Egea-Corbacho Á, Martín-García AP, Quiroga JM, Coello MD. Influence of tourism on microplastic contamination at wastewater treatment plants in the coastal municipality of Chiclana de la Frontera. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165573. [PMID: 37459988 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The tourism is one of the most important sources of the economy in the Bay of Cadiz. Specifically, the municipality of Chiclana de la Frontera, with a population lower than 90,000 citizens, located in the southeast of Spain. During the summer season the population duplicates leading to an increment in flow at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). These facilities have been reported as a source of microplastics (MPs) into marine ecosystems, therefore the aim of the present study is to investigate if the tourism affects the presence, discharge and in the receiving environment. Samples were taken at the influent and effluent of the municipal WWTPs (one located at the urban area and other located at resort area) during 2021 (including low and high season). MPs were collected and extracted from wastewater matrixes following the method recommended by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and UTS treatment to reduce organic matter and cellulose, respectively. The analysis of the samples was performed according to their abundance, shape, size, and type of polymer, along with the removal rates of MPs at WWTPs. The results showed heterogeneous MPs abundance ranging from 1246.4 to 345.7 MPs/L and 72.9 to 4.2, in the influent and effluent, respectively, increasing the presence of MPs at resort WWTP during high season. Fibers were the predominant shape within all the samples. A total of 17 polymers were identified, by ATR-FTIR, where Acrylates, PE and PA were the largest polymers found. Despite the high MPs retention performance of the WWTPs analyzed (84.1-99.3 %), a combined contribution of approximately 1.4 × 107-5.9 × 108 MPs/d to the aquatic environment was estimated. Finally, these results indicate that the increase of MPs in the wastewater at WWTP-B was related with the population increase as a consequence of summer tourism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Amelia Franco
- Department of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, INMAR-Marine Research Institute, CEIMAR International Campus of Excellence of the Sea, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Diana Iglesias-Arroyo
- Department of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, INMAR-Marine Research Institute, CEIMAR International Campus of Excellence of the Sea, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Ágata Egea-Corbacho
- Department of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, INMAR-Marine Research Institute, CEIMAR International Campus of Excellence of the Sea, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain; Materials and Sustainability Group, Department of Engineering, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Avda. de las Universidades s/n, 41704 Dos Hermanas, Seville, Spain.
| | - Ana Pilar Martín-García
- Department of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, INMAR-Marine Research Institute, CEIMAR International Campus of Excellence of the Sea, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - José María Quiroga
- Department of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, INMAR-Marine Research Institute, CEIMAR International Campus of Excellence of the Sea, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Coello
- Department of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, INMAR-Marine Research Institute, CEIMAR International Campus of Excellence of the Sea, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
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11
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Sol D, Solís-Balbín C, Laca A, Laca A, Díaz M. A standard analytical approach and establishing criteria for microplastic concentrations in wastewater, drinking water and tap water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165356. [PMID: 37422236 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in natural water bodies reflects the global issue regarding these micropollutants. The main problem of MPs lies on the difficulty of removing these particles from water during wastewater and drinking water treatments. The release of MPs to the environment in treated wastewater contributed to the dispersion of these micropollutants, which enhances the harmful effect of MPs on fauna and flora. In addition, their presence in tap water entails a potential risk to human health since MPs can be directly consumed. The first step is being able to quantify and characterise these microparticles accurately. In this work, a comprehensive analysis on the presence of MPs in wastewater, drinking water and tap water has been conducted with emphasis on sampling methods, pre-treatment, MP size and analytical methods. Based on literature data, a standard experimental procedure has been proposed with the objective of recommending a methodology that allows the homogenisation of MP analysis in water samples. Finally, reported MP concentrations for influents and effluents of drinking and wastewater treatment plants and tap water have been analysed, in terms of abundance, ranges and average values, and a tentative classification of different waters based on their MP concentrations is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sol
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carmen Solís-Balbín
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Amanda Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Adriana Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mario Díaz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
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12
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Sipps K, Patil S, Ochoa L, Chan J, Auguste C, Arbuckle-Keil G, Fahrenfeld NL. Quantitative and qualitative impacts of nitric acid digestion on microplastic identification via FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, implications for environmental samples. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:6809-6823. [PMID: 37798472 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04960-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Quantification and characterization of microplastics, synthetic polymers less than 5 mm in diameter, requires extraction methods that can reduce non-plastic debris without loss or alteration of the polymers. Nitric acid has been used to extract plastic particles from zooplankton and other biota because it completely digests tissue and exoskeletons, thus reducing interferences. While the impact of acid digestion protocols on several polymers has been demonstrated, advice for quantifying microplastic and interpreting their spectra following nitric acid digestion is lacking. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and/or Raman spectroscopy was performed on plastics from > 50 common consumer products (including a variety of textiles) pre- and post-nitric acid treatment. The percent match and assigned polymer were tabulated to compare the accuracy of spectral identification before and after nitric acid digestion via two open spectral analysis software. Nylon-66, polyoxymethylene, polyurethane, polyisoprene, nitrile rubber, and polymethyl methacrylate had ≥ 90% mass loss in nitric acid. Other less-impacted polymers changed color, morphology, and/or size following digestion. Thus, using nitric acid digestion for microplastic extraction can impact our understanding of the particle sizes and morphologies ingested in situ. Spectral analysis results were compiled to understand how often (1) the best-hit matches were correct (30-60% of spectra), (2) the best-hit matches exceeding the (arbitrary) threshold of 65% match were correct (53-78% of spectra), and (3) the best-hit matches for anthropogenic polymers were incorrectly identified as natural polymers (12-15% of spectra). Based on these results, advice is provided on how nitric acid digestion can impact microplastics as well as spectral interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karli Sipps
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Eberly College of Science, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Shreya Patil
- Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 500 Bartholomew Rd, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
- Langan Engineering, Parsippany, NJ, USA
| | - Lilia Ochoa
- Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 500 Bartholomew Rd, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Julianne Chan
- Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 500 Bartholomew Rd, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Caitlyn Auguste
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Georgia Arbuckle-Keil
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - N L Fahrenfeld
- Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 500 Bartholomew Rd, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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13
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Bayo J, López-Castellanos J, Olmos S, Rojo D. Characterization and removal efficiencies of microplastics discharged from sewage treatment plants in Southeast Spain. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 244:120479. [PMID: 37634462 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants that can effectively harm different ecosystems. The information on the relative contribution of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to the surrounding environment is important, in order to understand ecological health risks and implement measures to reduce their presence. This focus article presents a quantitative assessment on the relative concentration and types of MPs delivered from four WWTPs located at the Southeast of Spain. Samples from WWTPs were collected throughout a four-year period, comprising more than 1,200 L of analyzed wastewater and 3,215 microparticles isolated. Density extraction with 1.08 g/mL NaCl salt solution was systematically used as the main separation method, in a simple and reliable manner, and repeat extraction cycles did not play any significant impact on the study outcomes. The four WWTPs had removal efficiencies between 64.3% and 89.2% after primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment phases, without diurnal or daily variations. Advanced treatment methods displayed a lower removal rate for fibers than for particulate MPs. The abundance of MPs was always higher and with a lower mean size in wastewater samples collected in Autumn than for the rest of seasons. MPs dumped from WWTPs in large quantities into the environment are meant to be regarded as an important point source for aquatic and terrestrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Bayo
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 44 E-30203 Cartagena, Spain.
| | - Joaquín López-Castellanos
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 44 E-30203 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Sonia Olmos
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 44 E-30203 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Dolores Rojo
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 44 E-30203 Cartagena, Spain
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14
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Vercauteren M, Semmouri I, Van Acker E, Pequeur E, Van Esch L, Uljee I, Asselman J, Janssen CR. Assessment of road run-off and domestic wastewater contribution to microplastic pollution in a densely populated area (Flanders, Belgium). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 333:122090. [PMID: 37352959 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are omnipresent in our daily life. Unfortunately, the produced plastics will partly end up in the environment including aquatic ecosystems. People often refer to littering or illegal waste dumping as sources of plastic emission to the environment. However, daily-life sources could also, unknowingly, contribute considerably to the total microplastic pollution in the ecosystem. Hence, there is an urgent need to study these potential sources. In this research, two common sources, i.e. domestic wastewater and road run-off from tire and road wear particles, were studied in detail to quantify the relative contribution of both domestic sources towards microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems in Flanders, Belgium. This assessment shows that every person (in studied area) emits on average 1145 microplastics (25-1000 μm) daily through domestic wastewater, resulting in a yearly discharge of 418,000 microplastic particles per person. The road run-off samples contained between 0.02 and 9.2 mg tire wear particles per litre per day, which corresponds to an emission of 10.8 mg tire wear particles per driven vehicle km. The gross and net emissions of both above mentioned microplastic sources were extrapolated to the whole Flanders region using an emission model. From the yearly gross microplastic pollution in the domestic wastewater, 623 kg (20%) will be discharged in the freshwater. The highest losses originated from the households that have a private drain or are not (yet) connected to an active wastewater treatment plant. In Flanders, the yearly net microplastic emission into the aquatic environment of tire wear particles is estimated to be 246 tonnes (38%), mainly from the direct run-off from the road surface. Based on the results, specific mitigation measures can be installed to reduce the emission of microplastics towards the freshwater ecosystem. Other sources should be quantified in a similar way for a more holistic strategy to counteract plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Vercauteren
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Ilias Semmouri
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Van Acker
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmy Pequeur
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Leen Van Esch
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Inge Uljee
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400, Ostend, Belgium
| | - Colin R Janssen
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400, Ostend, Belgium
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15
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Fan L, Mohseni A, Schmidt J, Evans B, Murdoch B, Gao L. Efficiency of lagoon-based municipal wastewater treatment in removing microplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162714. [PMID: 36907421 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162714] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater treatment plants act as a sink, but also are a source of microplastics in the environment. A conventional wastewater lagoon system and an activated sludge (AS)-lagoon system in Victoria (Australia) were investigated through a two-year sampling program to understand the fate and transport of MP in such treatment processes. The abundance (>25 μm) and characteristics (size, shape, and colour) of the microplastics present in the various wastewater streams were determined. The mean values of MP in the influent of the two plants were 55.3 ± 38.4 and 42.5 ± 20.1 MP/L, respectively. The dominant MP size of influent and final effluent was <500 μm, with 25-200 μm accounting for >65 % of the total MP; synthetic fibres were the dominant MP in all wastewater streams. Influent MP concentration was significantly higher in summer than in other seasons for both systems, which was related to the lower plant inflow due to less stormwater entering the sewer during summer. The promising MP removal capability of the lagoon system (97 %) was attributed to its lengthy wastewater detention time (total HRT >250 days, including the storage lagoons) that would allow effective separation of MP from the water column via various physical and biological pathways. For the AS-lagoon system, the high MP reduction efficiency (98.4 %) was attributed to the post-secondary treatment of the wastewater with the lagoon system, in which MP was further removed during the month-long detention in the lagoons. The results indicated the potential of such low-energy and low-cost wastewater treatment systems for MP control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhua Fan
- School of Engineering and WETT Research Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
| | - Arash Mohseni
- School of Engineering and WETT Research Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Jonathan Schmidt
- South East Water Corporation, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia
| | - Ben Evans
- South East Water Corporation, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia
| | - Ben Murdoch
- South East Water Corporation, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia
| | - Li Gao
- South East Water Corporation, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia.
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16
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Ben-David EA, Habibi M, Haddad E, Sammar M, Angel DL, Dror H, Lahovitski H, Booth AM, Sabbah I. Mechanism of nanoplastics capture by jellyfish mucin and its potential as a sustainable water treatment technology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161824. [PMID: 36720396 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161824] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment has raised concerns about their impact on human health and the biosphere. The main aim of this study is to understand the mechanism that governs the capture of NPs by jellyfish mucus extracted from the jellyfish Aurelia sp. (A.a.) and compare the capture/removal efficiency to that of conventional coagulants and mucus from other organisms. The efficacy of A.a mucus to capture polystyrene and acrylic NPs (∼100 nm) from spiked wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent was evaluated. The mucus effect on capture kinetics and destabilization of NPs of different polymer compositions, sizes and concentrations was quantified by means of fluorescent NPs, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements and visualized by scanning electron microscopy. A dosing of A.a. mucus equivalent to protein concentrations of ∼2-4 mg L-1 led to a rapid change in zeta potential from a baseline of -30 mV to values close to 0 mV, indicating a marked change from a stable to a non-stable dispersion leading to a rapid (<10 min) and significant removal of NPs (60 %-90 %) from a stable suspension. The A.a. mucus outperformed all other mucus types (0-37 %) and coagulants (0 %-32 % for ferric chloride; 23-40 % for poly aluminum chlorohydrate), highlighting the potential for jellyfish mucus to be used as bio-flocculant. The results indicate a mucus-particle interaction consisting of adsorption-bridging and "mesh" filtration. Further insight is provided by carbohydrate composition and protein disruption analysis. Total protein disruption resulted in a complete loss of the A.a. mucus capacity to capture NPs, while the breaking of disulfide bonds and protein unfolding resulted in improved capture capacity. The study demonstrates that natural jellyfish mucin can capture and remove NPs in water and wastewater treatment systems more efficiently than conventional coagulants, highlighting the potential for development of a new type of bio-flocculant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Ben-David
- Prof. Ephraim Katzir Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel, Israel
| | - Maryana Habibi
- Prof. Ephraim Katzir Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel, Israel
| | - Elias Haddad
- Prof. Ephraim Katzir Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel, Israel
| | - Marei Sammar
- Prof. Ephraim Katzir Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel, Israel
| | - Dror L Angel
- Department of Maritime Civilizations, and Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hila Dror
- Department of Maritime Civilizations, and Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Haim Lahovitski
- Department of Maritime Civilizations, and Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Isam Sabbah
- Prof. Ephraim Katzir Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel, Israel; The Institute of Applied Research, The Galilee Society, Shefa-Amr, Israel.
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17
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Vercauteren M, Semmouri I, Van Acker E, Pequeur E, Janssen CR, Asselman J. Toward a Better Understanding of the Contribution of Wastewater Treatment Plants to Microplastic Pollution in Receiving Waterways. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:642-654. [PMID: 36524859 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (1 µm-5 mm), are ubiquitous in daily-use products and regularly end up in the wastewater. The main part of the wastewater is treated in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which allow for at least partial removal of microplastics. The present study aimed to understand the contribution of domestic wastewater to microplastic pollution in Flanders (Belgium) via two main discharge routes of microplastics: (1) the effluent, and (2) removed fractions. Furthermore the effect of effluent discharge on the microplastic contamination in the waterway was studied in both surface water and sediment samples of upstream and downstream locations of the discharge from three WWTPs. On average, 12.64 ± 20.20 microplastic/L entered a WWTP (10 µm-5 mm). The effluent contained on average 0.41 ± 0.91 microplastic/L, resulting in an average removal efficiency of 97.46% ± 2.33%, which is comparable with various (non-)European countries. Removal efficiencies are both polymer- and size-specific, and data suggest that smaller particles are less efficiently removed from the wastewater, which also causes an increased input of smaller particles to the environment. The sludge is the most efficient treatment process to remove microplastics. Despite the high removal efficiencies, still 1.11 × 107 ± 3.07 × 107 microplastics end up in the nearby waterway daily. Nonetheless, based on the results gathered in the present study, this does not seem to impact the microplastic concentration in the waterway significantly. In summary, the present study offers a holistic approach in the research on the impact of wastewater on microplastic pollution in the ecosystem, integrating different discharge routes and measuring the impact on environmental microplastic pollution. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:642-654. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Vercauteren
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ilias Semmouri
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Ostend, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Van Acker
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmy Pequeur
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Colin R Janssen
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Ostend, Belgium
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Ostend, Belgium
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18
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Kye H, Kim J, Ju S, Lee J, Lim C, Yoon Y. Microplastics in water systems: A review of their impacts on the environment and their potential hazards. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14359. [PMID: 36950574 PMCID: PMC10025042 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics, the microscopic plastics, are fragments of any type of plastic that are being produced today as plastic waste originating from anthropogenic activities. Such microplastics are discharged into the environment, and they enter back into the human body through different means. The microplastics spread in the environment due to environmental factors and the inherent properties of microplastics, such as density, hydrophobicity, and recalcitrance, and then eventually enter the water environment. In this study, to better understand the behavior of microplastics in the water environment, an extensive literature review was conducted on the occurrence of microplastics in aquatic environments categorized by seawater, wastewater, and freshwater. We summarized the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the water environment and studied the environmental factors affecting them in detail. In addition, focusing on the sampling and pretreatment processes that can limit the analysis results of microplastics, we discussed in depth the sampling methods, density separation, and organic matter digestion methods for each water environment. Finally, the potential hazards posed by the behavior of aging microplastics, such as adsorption of pollutants or ingestion by aquatic organisms, due to exposure to the environment were also investigated.
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19
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Hajji S, Ben-Haddad M, Abelouah MR, De-la-Torre GE, Alla AA. Occurrence, characteristics, and removal of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants located on the Moroccan Atlantic: The case of Agadir metropolis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160815. [PMID: 36502989 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are some of the main sources of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. However, studies on the occurrence and removal efficiency of MPs in WWTPs are still scarce, especially in African countries. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the abundance of MPs in the influent and effluent of two WWTPs (Aourir and M'zar) from the Agadir metropolis (Moroccan Atlantic). The two WWTPs receive different wastewater inputs (domestic and industrial). In addition, the impacts of seasonality on the fate and removal efficiency were investigated. The results showed that the MPs abundance in the wastewater decreased from 188 MPs/L in the influent to 50 MPs/L in the effluent for Aourir WWTP (domestic inputs); while the abundance was greater in the M'zar WWTP (urban and industrial inputs) recording a mean value of 519 MPs/L and 86 MPs/L in the influent and effluent, respectively. MPs collected in the Aourir WWTP ranged from 290 to 3200 μm, while MPs from the M'zar WWTP, ranged from 330 to 4200 μm. Overall, the size range of 100-500 μm was the most abundant for both WWTPs. Fibers were the highest MPs morphotype found, followed by fragments. MP colors were mainly red, black, blue, and transparent for both treatment plants. Additionally, FTIR spectroscopy showed the presence of eight different polymers, mainly polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Seasonal variation analysis showed that MPs abundance in summer was significantly higher compared to other seasons. However, the comparison of the removal efficiency (RE) between the different seasons indicated that the winter season (74 %) recorded the highest RE for Aourir WWTP. Conversely, spring (87 %) recorded the highest RE for M'zar WWTP. SEM/EDX micrographs showed different degrees of weathering and chemical elements adhering to the surface of the MPs. The findings of the current study will serve as a baseline for future considerations about management strategies, wastewater reuse, as well as the understanding of the occurrence of microplastic pollution along the marine ecosystems of Morocco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco..
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco..
| | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco..
| | | | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco..
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20
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Sun X, Jia Q, Ye J, Zhu Y, Song Z, Guo Y, Chen H. Real-time variabilities in microplastic abundance and characteristics of urban surface runoff and sewer overflow in wet weather as impacted by land use and storm factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160148. [PMID: 36375558 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Urban surface runoff (USR) and drainage system overflows during wet weather (WWF) play a key role in shaping water pollution. Particularly, the impact of large amounts of microplastic pollution on urban water bodies is unclear. We conducted an in-field investigation in six central urban drainage systems along Suzhou Creek in the Shanghai megacity of China and identified the impacts of storm factors and land use on the real-time dynamic changes in microplastic abundance and characteristics in USR and WWF. Microplastic abundances ranged from 228.3 ± 105.4-4969.51 ± 348.8, 309.3 ± 144.3-5195.8 ± 425.5, and 130.0 ± 30.0-8500.0 ± 1241.0 particles/L in the traffic and residential catchment USR, and the WWF, respectively. Under similar storm factor conditions, we observed correlations between environmental factors and microplastic abundance, especially the polymer type, verifying the significant role of land use. The microplastic abundance were 90.2 particles/L higher in the traffic catchment USR than in the residential catchment USR. Notably, we found unique microplastic polymers comprising ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and thermoplastic elastomers in the residential and traffic catchment USR, respectively. However, land use had a minimum impact on the size and shape of microplastics: small-sized and film microplastics dominated in both USR types. We found statistical evidence of the widespread correlations between microplastic abundance and storm factors (accumulated storm depth and WWF flow) in both USR and WWF. The first flush phenomenon of microplastic dynamics was found in both USR and WWF. Microplastic characteristics also changed dynamically with storm time. With heavy storm factors, polypropylene and small-sized (<1 mm) microplastics in USR events increased and then decreased. This was also true for WWF events in granular and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics. Our results can facilitate the targeted mitigation of emerging pollutants to enhance stormwater management strategies and prevent future contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Sun
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, 200233 Shanghai, China
| | - Qilong Jia
- School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jianfeng Ye
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, 200233 Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaofeng Song
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, 200233 Shanghai, China
| | - Yali Guo
- Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200050, China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, China.
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21
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Development of an Inexpensive and Comparable Microplastic Detection Method Using Fluorescent Staining with Novel Nile Red Derivatives. ANALYTICA 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/analytica4010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent staining of microplastics as a detection method is consistently gaining importance in microplastics research, as it is fast, easy to use, and requires low technical effort. In this study, a complete procedure was developed, from sample collection to sample processing and detection, to measure microplastics with low cost and time requirements. The developed procedure was tested by measuring the microplastics in the effluent of a German wastewater treatment plant over a period of one year. The results show that the process is especially well suited to investigate temporal variations of microplastic contamination, which requires a large number of samples to be processed. Further, the precision and selectivity of the detection process could be improved by applying newly developed Nile red derivatives for fluorescent staining. A low budget modification of a microscope for fluorescent imaging is compared to a modification with precise optical bandpass filters. A script enabling automated microplastic detection and counting was developed, improving the accuracy and comparability of the process.
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22
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Ridall A, Farrar E, Dansby M, Ingels J. Influence of wastewater treatment plants and water input sources on size, shape, and polymer distributions of microplastics in St. Andrew Bay, Florida, USA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114552. [PMID: 36621301 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114552] [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: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is an ongoing problem in coastal systems, where wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) deposit particles daily. This study examined MP characteristics at WWTP outflow and control sites in St. Andrew Bay in Northwestern Florida, USA. WWTP sites contained mostly polypropylene fragments (180.1 μm avg. size), while reference sites contained polypropylene fragments, and polyethylene and polyester fibers (315.3 μm avg. size). MP sizes were strongly linked to distance from the nearest WWTP, while shape and polymer compositions were more closely related to dissolved oxygen concentrations and distance to the nearest water input source. The prevalence of polypropylene fragments at WWTP sites suggests that extreme weather events during the study flushed land-based debris into the system, where it was buried in the sediments. Increased abundances of polyester and polyethylene terephthalate in the winter at WWTP sites are indicative of the role that laundering synthetic textiles plays in coastal MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Ridall
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St Teresa, FL 32358, USA.
| | - Emily Farrar
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Morgan Dansby
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Jeroen Ingels
- Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St Teresa, FL 32358, USA
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23
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Krishnan RY, Manikandan S, Subbaiya R, Karmegam N, Kim W, Govarthanan M. Recent approaches and advanced wastewater treatment technologies for mitigating emerging microplastics contamination - A critical review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159681. [PMID: 36302412 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been identified as an emerging pollutant due to their irrefutable prevalence in air, soil, and particularly, the aquatic ecosystem. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are seen as the last line of defense which creates a barrier between microplastics and the environment. These microplastics are discharged in large quantities into aquatic bodies due to their insufficient containment during water treatment. As a result, WWTPs are regarded as point sources of microplastics release into the environment. Assessing the prevalence and behavior of microplastics in WWTPs is therefore critical for their control. The removal efficiency of microplastics was 65 %, 0.2-14 %, and 0.2-2 % after the successful primary, secondary and tertiary treatment phases in WWTPs. In this review, other than conventional treatment methods, advanced treatment methods have also been discussed. For the removal of microplastics in the size range 20-190 μm, advanced treatment methods like membrane bioreactors, rapid sand filtration, electrocoagulation and photocatalytic degradation was found to be effective and these methods helps in increasing the removal efficiency to >99 %. Bioremediation based approaches has found that sea grasses, lugworm and blue mussels has the ability to mitigate microplastics by acting as a natural trap to the microplastics pollutants and could act as candidate species for possible incorporation in WWTPs. Also, there is a need for controlling the use and unchecked release of microplastics into the environment through laws and regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhakrishnan Yedhu Krishnan
- Department of Food Technology, Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirappally, Kottayam 686 518, Kerala, India
| | - Sivasubramanian Manikandan
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105. Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramasamy Subbaiya
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Copperbelt University, Riverside, Jambo Drive, P O Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia
| | - Natchimuthu Karmegam
- PG and Research Department of Botany, Government Arts College (Autonomous), Salem 636 007, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Woong Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
| | - Muthusamy Govarthanan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea; Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India.
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24
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Bydalek F, Ifayemi D, Reynolds L, Barden R, Kasprzyk-Hordern B, Wenk J. Microplastic dynamics in a free water surface constructed wetland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:160113. [PMID: 36370791 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates microplastic (MPs) dynamics of a recently established surface flow 2100 population equivalent polishing constructed wetland (CW) receiving 1.4 ML per day of secondary treated wastewater. MPs type, size ranges and concentrations were measured along the CW at a 2-months sampling campaign. The CW received an average of 5·106 MPs per day (6 MPs per liter), mostly 100-1000 μm-sized synthetic fibers followed by fragments in the same size range. 95 % of MPs were retained, resulting in 0.30 ± 0.09 MPs per liter in CW effluent. Most MPs (97 %) were trapped within the first 20 % of the CW which consisted of a settling pond and shallow vegetated treatment cells and provided an areal removal rate > 4000 MP m-2 d-1. Data and microscopic analysis indicate MPs erosion and fragmentation in the CW. Turbidity and suspended solids were no indicator for MP removal due to water fowl activity, algal growth, and preferential flow conditions. This is the first study on MP dynamics in an independently operating full scale free water surface CW incorporated into a municipal wastewater treatment scheme. Surface flow CWs can retain MPs effectively but accumulation in CW sediments and substrate needs to be considered when further utilized or recycled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciszek Bydalek
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC), University of Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; GW4 NERC Centre for Doctoral Training in Freshwater Biosciences and Sustainability, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ifayemi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern
- Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC), University of Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Jannis Wenk
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC), University of Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom.
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25
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Napper IE, Parker-Jurd FNF, Wright SL, Thompson RC. Examining the release of synthetic microfibres to the environment via two major pathways: Atmospheric deposition and treated wastewater effluent. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159317. [PMID: 36220472 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Research on the discharge of synthetic microfibres to aquatic environments has typically focused on laundering, where fibres can be discharged via wastewater effluent. However emerging research suggests that microfibres generated during the wear of textiles in normal use could present a major, additional, pathway for microfibre pollution to the environment. This study aimed to quantify and compare the quantities of microfibre entering the marine environment via both these pathways; wastewater discharge and atmospheric deposition. Areas of high and low population density were also evaluated. Samples were collected in and around two British cities (Bristol and Plymouth) both of which are located on tidal waters. Fibres originating from the atmosphere were deposited at an average rate of 81.6 fibres m2 d-1 across urban and rural areas. Treated wastewater effluent contained on an average 0.03 synthetic fibres L-1. Based on our results we predict ~20,000-500,000 microfibres could be discharged per day from the Wastewater Treatment Plants studied. When the two pathways were compared. Atmospheric deposition of synthetic microfibres appeared the dominant pathway, releasing fibres at a rate several orders of magnitude greater than via treated wastewater effluent. Potential options to reduce the release of microfibres to the environment are discussed and we conclude that intervention at the textile design stage presents the most effective approach. In order to guide policy intervention to inform the Plastics Treaty UNEA 5.2, future work should focus on understanding which permutations of textile design have the greatest influence fibre shedding, during both everyday use and laundering.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Napper
- International Marine Litter Research Unit, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake's Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - F N F Parker-Jurd
- International Marine Litter Research Unit, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake's Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
| | - S L Wright
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80-92 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - R C Thompson
- International Marine Litter Research Unit, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake's Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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26
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Amaneesh C, Anna Balan S, Silpa PS, Kim JW, Greeshma K, Aswathi Mohan A, Robert Antony A, Grossart HP, Kim HS, Ramanan R. Gross Negligence: Impacts of Microplastics and Plastic Leachates on Phytoplankton Community and Ecosystem Dynamics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5-24. [PMID: 36534053 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastic debris is an established environmental menace affecting aquatic systems globally. Recently, microplastics (MP) and plastic leachates (PL) have been detected in vital human organs, the vascular system, and in vitro animal studies positing severe health hazards. MP and PL have been found in every conceivable aquatic ecosystem─from open oceans and deep sea floors to supposedly pristine glacier lakes and snow covered mountain catchment sites. Many studies have documented the MP and PL impacts on a variety of aquatic organisms, whereby some exclusively focus on aquatic microorganisms. Yet, the specific MP and PL impacts on primary producers have not been systematically analyzed. Therefore, this review focuses on the threats posed by MP, PL, and associated chemicals on phytoplankton, their comprehensive impacts at organismal, community, and ecosystem scales, and their endogenous amelioration. Studies on MP- and PL-impacted individual phytoplankton species reveal the production of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, physical damage of thylakoids, and other physiological and metabolic changes, followed by homo- and heteroaggregations, ultimately eventuating in decreased photosynthesis and primary productivity. Likewise, analyses of the microbial community in the plastisphere show a radically different profile compared to the surrounding planktonic diversity. The plastisphere also enriches multidrug-resistant bacteria, cyanotoxins, and pollutants, accelerating microbial succession, changing the microbiome, and thus, affecting phytoplankton diversity and evolution. These impacts on cellular and community scales manifest in changed ecosystem dynamics with widespread bottom-up and top-down effects on aquatic biodiversity and food web interactions. These adverse effects─through altered nutrient cycling─have "knock-on" impacts on biogeochemical cycles and greenhouse gases. Consequently, these impacts affect provisioning and regulating ecosystem services. Our citation network analyses (CNA) further demonstrate dire effects of MP and PL on all trophic levels, thereby unsettling ecosystem stability and services. CNA points to several emerging nodes indicating combined toxicity of MP, PL, and their associated hazards on phytoplankton. Taken together, our study shows that ecotoxicity of plastic particles and their leachates have placed primary producers and some aquatic ecosystems in peril.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Amaneesh
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - Shankari Anna Balan
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
- Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 8000, 6700 EA, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - P S Silpa
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - Ji Won Kim
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), 34113, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kozhumal Greeshma
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - A Aswathi Mohan
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - Aiswarya Robert Antony
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - Hans-Peter Grossart
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Potsdam University, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hee-Sik Kim
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), 34113, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Rishiram Ramanan
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Centre for Policy Research & Governance, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
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27
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Di Lorenzo T, Cabigliera SB, Martellini T, Laurati M, Chelazzi D, Galassi DMP, Cincinelli A. Ingestion of microplastics and textile cellulose particles by some meiofaunal taxa of an urban stream. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 310:136830. [PMID: 36243082 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136830] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and textile cellulose are globally pervasive pollutants in freshwater. In-situ studies assessing the ingestion of MPs by freshwater meiofauna are few. Here, we evaluated MP and textile cellulose ingestion by some meiofaunal taxa and functional guilds of a first-order stream in the city of Florence (Italy) by using a tandem microscopy approach (fluorescence microscopy and μFTIR). The study targeted five taxa (nematodes, oligochaetes, copepods, ephemeropterans and chironomids), three feeding (scrapers, deposit-feeders, and predators), and three locomotion (crawlers, burrowers, and swimmers) guilds. Fluorescent particles related to both MPs and textile cellulose resulted in high numbers in all taxa and functional guilds. We found the highest number of particles in nematodes (5200 particles/ind.) and deposit-feeders (1693 particles/ind.). Oligochaetes and chironomids (burrowers) ingested the largest particles (medium length: 28 and 48 μm, respectively), whereas deposit-feeders ingested larger particles (medium length: 26 μm) than scrapers and predators. Pellets were abundant in all taxa, except for Chironomidae. Textile cellulose fibers were present in all taxa and functional guilds, while MP polymers (EVA, PET, PA, PE, PE-PP) differed among taxa and functional guilds. In detail: EVA and PET particles were found only in chironomids, PE particles occurred in chironomids, copepods and ephemeropterans, PA particles were found in all taxa except in nematodes, whereas particles made of PE-PP blend occurred in oligochaetes and copepods. Burrowers and deposit-feeders ingested EVA, PET, PA, PE and PE-PP, while crawlers and scrapers ingested PE and PA. Swimmers and predators ingested PE, PA and PE-PP. Our findings suggest a pervasive level of plastic and textile cellulose pollution consistent with an urban stream which propagates in the meiofaunal assemblage of the stream ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Di Lorenzo
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems of the National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy; Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Romanian Academy, Clinicilor 5, Cluj Napoca, 400006, Romania; cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | | | - Tania Martellini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Via della Lastruccia, 3 - 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (CSGI), University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3 - Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Laurati
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Via della Lastruccia, 3 - 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (CSGI), University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3 - Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - David Chelazzi
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Via della Lastruccia, 3 - 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (CSGI), University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3 - Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Diana Maria Paola Galassi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cincinelli
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Via della Lastruccia, 3 - 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (CSGI), University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3 - Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Florence, Italy
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28
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Ridall A, Ingels J. Seasonal and spatial variations in microplastics abundances in St. Andrew Bay, Florida. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158422. [PMID: 36055491 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) cause approximately 25 % of microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment. While research on MPs in WWTP effluent has demonstrated that an abundance of particles enter the marine environment, little effort has gone to assessing MP abundances in coastal sediments to determine their seasonal and spatial variability. Here, we assessed MP abundances in sediments at sites of WWTP outflow and at non-polluted sites over six consecutive seasons within the St. Andrew Bay system in Northwestern Florida. We showed that MP abundances were highest at one of the WWTP sites, where they increased with increasing distance away from the input source (3.16 ± 1.59 MP/kg to 34.03 ± 11.69 MP/kg sediment dry weight). We also found that mean MP abundances were highest in the winter (12.41 ± 3.56 MPs/kg sediment dry weight) and lowest in the spring (2.17 ± 0.63 MPs/kg sediment dry weight). Therefore, while WWTPs differentially retain MPs in their removal processes, MP pollution in the St. Andrew Bay system shows seasonal dynamics like other studies. Although average MP abundance in surface sediments (0-5 cm) was higher than in subsurface sediments (5-10 cm) at all sites, this difference was not as substantial as has been found in other studies. Based on mean MP abundance in surface sediments, we estimate that there are 30 billion MPs within the surface layer of sediment in the St. Andrew Bay system, and that the particles export to the Gulf of Mexico because of seasonal flushing between the winter and spring. The distributions of MPs in the system were also likely driven by extreme weather events that occurred in the bay system during 2018 and 2020, which acts as a cautionary tale for coastal urban ecosystems in the face of sea level rise and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Ridall
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St Teresa, FL 32358, USA.
| | - Jeroen Ingels
- Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St Teresa, FL 32358, USA
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29
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Whiting QT, O’Connor KF, Potter PM, Al-Abed SR. A high-throughput, automated technique for microplastics detection, quantification, and characterization in surface waters using laser direct infrared spectroscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:8353-8364. [PMID: 36282325 PMCID: PMC9805365 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04371-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A high-throughput approach to detecting, quantifying, and characterizing microplastics (MPs) by shape, size, and polymer type using laser direct infrared (LDIR) spectroscopy in surface water samples is demonstrated. Three urban creeks were sampled for their MP content near Cincinnati, OH. A simple Fenton reaction was used to oxidize the surface water samples, and the water samples were filtered onto a gold-coated polyester membrane. Infrared (IR) analysis for polymer identification was conducted, with recoveries of 88.3% ± 1.2%. This method was able to quantify MPs down to a diameter of 20 µm, a size comparable to that of MPs quantified by other techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. A shape-classifying algorithm was designed using the aspect ratio values of particles to categorize MPs as fibers, fibrous fragments, fragments, spherical fragments, or spheres. Cut-off values were identified from measurements of known sphere, fragment, and fibrous particles. About half of all environmental samples were classified as fragments while the other shapes accounted for the other half. A cut-off hit quality index (HQI) value of 0.7 was used to classify known and unidentified particles based on spectral matches to a reference library. Center for Marine Debris Research Polymer Kit 1.0 standards were analyzed by LDIR and compared to the given FTIR spectra by HQI, showing that LDIR obtains similar identifications as FTIR analysis. The simplicity and automation of the LDIR allows for quick, reproducible particle analysis, making LDIR attractive for high-throughput analysis of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinn T. Whiting
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), USEPA, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
| | - Keith F. O’Connor
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), USEPA, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
| | - Phillip M. Potter
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Souhail R. Al-Abed
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
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30
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Patil S, Kamdi P, Chakraborty S, Das S, Bafana A, Krishnamurthi K, Sivanesan S. Characterization and removal of microplastics in a sewage treatment plant from urban Nagpur, India. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 195:47. [PMID: 36309917 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10680-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sewage treatment plant (STP) acts as a potential source of microplastic contamination in the environment. The presence of microplastics in the sewage treatment plant is reported over the globe in varying concentrations. Hence, the current study is intended to evaluate the presence and abundance of microplastics occurring in sewage treatment plants in India. The samples were processed through digestion and density separation, followed by microscopic and polymer identification through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Also, different wastewater parameters were studied to analyze their influence. High microplastic concentrations were detected in the influent (1860 ± 265 MPs/L), which reduced by > 90%, to around 148 ± 51 MPs/L in the effluent. The concentration of microplastics in sewage sludge was 830 MPs/kg. The prominent plastic types identified include low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and rayon. The smaller particles prevail in the effluent, releasing around 30 billion particles per day to the environment. This suggests that the current STP is efficient in removing the majority of the particles, but considerations are needed to avoid the ecological risks associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakshi Patil
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Pooja Kamdi
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Soumya Chakraborty
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Sera Das
- Chemical and Hazardous Waste Management Division (CHWMD), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Amit Bafana
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Kannan Krishnamurthi
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Saravanadevi Sivanesan
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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31
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Dronjak L, Exposito N, Rovira J, Florencio K, Emiliano P, Corzo B, Schuhmacher M, Valero F, Sierra J. Screening of microplastics in water and sludge lines of a drinking water treatment plant in Catalonia, Spain. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 225:119185. [PMID: 36209664 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants detected everywhere in the environment, with the potential to harm living organisms. The present study investigated the concentration, morphology, and composition of MPs, between 20 μm and 5 mm, in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) located close to Barcelona (Catalonia, NE Spain). The sampling included different units of the DWTP, from influent to effluent as well as sludge line. Sampling strategy, filtration, allows sampling of large volumes of water avoiding sample contamination, and during 8 h in order to increase the representativeness of MPs collected. The pre-treatment of the samples consisted of advanced oxidation with Fenton's reagent and hydrogen peroxide, followed by density separation of the particles with zinc chloride solution. Visual identification was performed with an optical and stereoscopic microscope with final Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) confirmation. MPs were found in all DWTP samples, with concentrations from 4.23 ± 1.26 MPs/L to 0.075 ± 0.019 MPs/L in the influent and effluent of the plant, respectively. The overall removal efficiency of the plant was 98.3%. The most dominant morphology was fibers followed by fragments and films. Twenty-two different polymer types were identified and synthetic cellulose, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, and polyacrylonitrile were the most common. Although MPs could be incorporated from the distribution network, MPs intake from drinking water from this DWTP was not an important route compared to fish and seafood ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Dronjak
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Rovira and Virgili, Paisos Catalans Avenue 26, Tarragona, Catalonia 43007, Spain
| | - Nora Exposito
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Rovira and Virgili, Paisos Catalans Avenue 26, Tarragona, Catalonia 43007, Spain
| | - Joaquim Rovira
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Rovira and Virgili, Paisos Catalans Avenue 26, Tarragona, Catalonia 43007, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, University Rovira and Virgili, Sant Llorenc 21, Reus, Catalonia 43201, Spain.
| | - Karin Florencio
- Sorigué Group, Ronda Guinardó, 99, Barcelona, Catalonia 08041, Spain
| | - Pere Emiliano
- Ens d'Abastament d'Aigua Ter-Llobregat (ATL), Sant Martí de l'Erm, 30, Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona 08970, Spain
| | - Beatriz Corzo
- Sorigué Group, Ronda Guinardó, 99, Barcelona, Catalonia 08041, Spain
| | - Marta Schuhmacher
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Rovira and Virgili, Paisos Catalans Avenue 26, Tarragona, Catalonia 43007, Spain
| | - Fernando Valero
- Ens d'Abastament d'Aigua Ter-Llobregat (ATL), Sant Martí de l'Erm, 30, Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona 08970, Spain
| | - Jordi Sierra
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University de Barcelona, Joan XXIII Avenue s/n, Barcelona, Catalonia 08028, Spain
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32
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Üstün GE, Bozdaş K, Can T. Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in an urban wastewater treatment plant in Turkey. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 310:119890. [PMID: 35932899 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered one of the important sources of aquatic/terrestrial microplastic (MP) pollution. Therefore, the abundance and properties of MPs in the wastewater and sludge of an urban WWTP in Bursa Turkey were investigated. The amount, properties, and removal of MPs were evaluated. The results showed that the average abundance of MPs was 135.3 ± 28.0 n/L in the influent and 8.5 ± 4.7 n/L in the effluent, with a 93.7% removal rate, MP was removed and transferred to the sludge. The daily MP amount released in the aquatic environment is calculated as 525 million MPs, and the annual amount is 1.9 × 1011 MPs. The abundance of MPs in the sludge thickening and sludge filter cake is 17.9 ± 2.3 and 9.5 ± 2.3 n/g dry weight (dw), respectively. The sludge disposal amount of WWTP is 81.5 tons/day and the approximate amount of MP accumulated in the sludge per year is calculated as 2.8 × 1011 MPs. In wastewater and sludge samples, fragment dominant shape, black main colour, and 500-1000 μm sizes are the most common size. The main MP types in wastewater samples at the influent are polypropylene (PP, 36.8%), polyethylene (PE, 31.0%), polystyrene (PS, 11.8%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 8.0%), and polyamide (PA, 7.1%), at the effluent (PE, 33.0%), (PP, 52.5%), and (PS, 8.2%). In the sludge cake, the distribution is (PE, 40.8%), (PP, 27.6%), (PS, 18.7%) and (PET, 8.0%). The results of this study show that MPs are removed from wastewater with high efficiency by treatment processes and a significant amount accumulates in the sludge. Therefore, it is suggested that to integrate advanced treatment processes into urban WWTPs and use effective sludge disposal management practices to reduce the amount of MP released into the environment with effluent and sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gökhan Ekrem Üstün
- Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bursa, 16059, Turkey.
| | - Kübra Bozdaş
- Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bursa, 16059, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Can
- Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bursa, 16059, Turkey
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Yu W, Chen J, Zhang S, Zhao Y, Fang M, Deng Y, Zhang Y. Extraction of biodegradable microplastics from tissues of aquatic organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156396. [PMID: 35654179 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradable plastics (BPs) have been given high hopes to substitute conventional plastics, but their biodegradation requires strict conditions. BPs can accumulate for a long time in the environment and even derive biodegradable microplastics (BMPs), thus threatening wildlife and ecosystems. However, no efficient method is available for extracting BMPs from organisms' tissues. This study used multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods to comprehensively evaluate and optimize extraction protocols of five BMPs from economic aquatic species. Digestion time, digestion efficiency, mass loss, cost, polymer integrity and size change were selected as evaluating indictors. According to the screening results of MCDM methods, Pepsin+H2O2 was selected as the optimal digestion method of BMPs because of its highest comprehensive score, which has high digestion efficiency (99.56%) and minimum plastic damage. Compared with olive oil, NaI is more suitable for separating BMPs from the digested residues. Furthermore, the combination of Pepsin+H2O2 digestion and NaI density separation was used to extract all five kinds of BMPs from the bivalve, crab, squid, and crayfish tissues, and all the recovery rates exceeded 80%. These results suggest that the optimal protocol is practicable to extract various BMPs from various aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Jiaqi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Shenghu Zhang
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210042, China
| | - Yanping Zhao
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
| | - Mingliang Fang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yongfeng Deng
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
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Hu B, Guo P, Han S, Jin Y, Nan Y, Deng J, He J, Wu Y, Chen S. Distribution characteristics of microplastics in the soil of mangrove restoration wetland and the effects of microplastics on soil characteristics. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:1120-1136. [PMID: 35864407 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02561-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The dense vegetation in the wetland could effectively retain microplastic particles, and the distribution of microplastics varied significantly under different planting densities. In addition, microplastics in the soil environment can affect soil properties to a certain extent, which in turn can affect soil functions and biodiversity. In this study, we investigated the distribution of soil microplastics in a mangrove restoration wetland under different planting densities and their effects on wetland soil properties. The results indicated that the average abundance of soil microplastics was 2177.5 n/500 g, of which 70.9% exhibited a diameter ranging from 0.038-0.05 mm, while the remaining soil microplastics accounted for less than 20% of all microplastics, indicating that smaller-diameter microplastics were more likely to accumulate in wetland soil. The microplastic abundance could be ranked based on the planting density as follows: 0.5 × 0.5 m > 1.0 × 0.5 m > 1.0 × 1.0 m > control area. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the predominant microplastic categories in this region included polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 52%), polyethylene (PE, 24%) and polypropylene (PP, 15%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed fractures and tears on the surface of microplastics. EDS energy spectra indicated a large amount of metal elements on the surface of microplastics. Due to the adsorptive features of PET, this substance could influence the soil particle size distribution and thus the soil structure. All physicochemical factors, except for the soil pH, were significantly affected by PET. In addition, the CV analysis results indicated that soils in vegetated areas are more susceptible to PET than are soils in bare ground areas, leading to greater variation in their properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Hu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Peiyong Guo
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China.
| | - Siyu Han
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Yifan Jin
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Yiting Nan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Jun Deng
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Junming He
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Yaqing Wu
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
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35
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Philipp M, Bucheli TD, Kaegi R. The use of surrogate standards as a QA/QC tool for routine analysis of microplastics in sewage sludge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155485. [PMID: 35472349 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155485] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The efficient retention of microplastic particles (MP) during wastewater treatment results in their accumulation in the sewage sludge. Thus, sewage sludge represents a key matrix for understanding MP flows between engineered and natural systems. Building on previous reports, we present a sample preparation protocol optimized for digested sewage sludge. The key steps include acid digestion supported by Fenton reagents, enzymatic digestion, and density separation using sodium polytungstate (density of 1.9 gcm-3). We use colored polyethylene (PE) spheres as surrogate standards to assess sample specific recoveries in terms of number and size, based on visible light (vis) microscopy and focal plane array - micro-Fourier transform - infrared (FPA-μ-FT-IR) imaging. The FT-IR spectra of common MP were identical before and after the digestion procedures and morphological changes were observed for polylactide fibers only. Average recovery rates for PE spheres, polypropylene fibers and polyethylene terephthalate fragments extracted from spiked digested sewage sludge and determined using (automated) vis microscopy ranged from 80% to 100%. Similar recovery rates of around 80% were also obtained for PE spheres based on FPA-μ-FT-IR measurements. The median diameters of red and blue PE spheres in dry state and recovered from spiked deionized water and from extracts of spiked digested sewage sludge determined using vis microscopy ranged between 46 μm and 67 μm. These diameters were similar to 54 μm and 61 μm obtained from the FPA-μ-FT-IR measurements of the corresponding deionized water samples and digested sludge extracts and in line with data from the producer (53 μm-63 μm). Using our digestion protocol in combination with surrogate standards, we measured MP number concentrations of around 10,000 #/g in dried, digested sewage sludge, in agreement with recent results from other studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Philipp
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Ralf Kaegi
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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36
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Faria M, Cunha C, Gomes M, Mendonça I, Kaufmann M, Ferreira A, Cordeiro N. Bacterial cellulose biopolymers: The sustainable solution to water-polluting microplastics. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 222:118952. [PMID: 35964508 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become one of our time's most consequential issue. These micropolymeric particles are ubiquitously distributed across all natural and urban ecosystems. Current filtration systems in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) rely on non-biodegradable fossil-based polymeric filters whose maintenance procedures are environmentally damaging and unsustainable. Following the need to develop sustainable filtration frameworks for MPs water removal, years of R&D lead to the conception of bacterial cellulose (BC) biopolymers. These bacterial-based naturally secreted polymers display unique features for biotechnological applications, such as straightforward production, large surface areas, nanoporous structures, biodegradability, and utilitarian circularity. Diligently, techniques such as flow cytometry, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate the feasibility and characterise the removal dynamics of highly concentrated MPs-polluted water by BC biopolymers. Results show that BC biopolymers display removal efficiencies of MPs of up to 99%, maintaining high performance for several continuous cycles. The polymer's characterisation showed that MPs were both adsorbed and incorporated in the 3D nanofibrillar network. The use of more economically- and logistics-favourable dried BC biopolymers preserves their physicochemical properties while maintaining high efficiency (93-96%). These polymers exhibited exceptional structural preservation, conserving a high water uptake capacity which drives microparticle retention. In sum, this study provides clear evidence that BC biopolymers are high performing, multifaceted and genuinely sustainable/circular alternatives to synthetic water treatment MPs-removal technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Faria
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Portugal; CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - César Cunha
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Portugal
| | - Madalena Gomes
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Portugal
| | - Ivana Mendonça
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Portugal
| | - Manfred Kaufmann
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal; Marine Biology Station of Funchal, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Portugal
| | - Artur Ferreira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials and Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nereida Cordeiro
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Portugal; CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal.
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37
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Ahmad T, Amjad M, Iqbal Q, Batool A, Noor A, Jafir M, Hussain H, Irfan M. Occurrence of Microplastics and Heavy Metals in Aquatic and Agroecosystem: A Case Study. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 109:266-271. [PMID: 35451601 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-022-03523-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A case study was conducted to evaluate the microplastics and heavy metals distribution in Pakistani farmland. Wastewater, soil, and vegetable samples were collected from four locations that received raw effluents for irrigation in the Faisalabad district. The average MPs abundances found in soil was 2790.75 items/kg, FSD-S has higher MPs (3865 items/kg) which is almost 34.62% from the total. However, the highest metal pollution (3.666 mg/kg) was recorded in the FSD-E zone, Cr showed the highest transfer factor about 34.24% in FSD-N in comparison with other sites. This research establishes a benchmark for estimating the environmental harm posed by microplastics and heavy metals in this rapidly emerging field of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanveer Ahmad
- Department of Horticulture, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Amjad
- Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Qumer Iqbal
- Fiblast, LLC, 1602 Mizell Road Tuskegee, Alabama, 36083, USA
| | - Asmat Batool
- Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Anam Noor
- Department of Horiculture, BZU, Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Jafir
- Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Hammad Hussain
- Department of Horticulture, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300354, People's Republic of China.
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38
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Hu T, He P, Yang Z, Wang W, Zhang H, Shao L, Lü F. Emission of airborne microplastics from municipal solid waste transfer stations in downtown. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 828:154400. [PMID: 35276166 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the continuous progress of urbanization, municipal solid waste (MSW) transfer stations, which are key points for garbage collection and transportation, have moved to residential areas than before. The emission characteristics of gas-phase emerging contaminants should be comprehensively assessed in the assessment of health threats to workers and environmental risks. In this study, the emission characteristics of airborne microplastic particles (>50 μm) were analyzed on the roof vent and waste reception hall of four MSW transfer stations in Shanghai during different seasons. The average concentration of airborne microplastic particles was 2.5 ± 1.3 n/m3. The particle sizes of airborne microplastics at the four waste transfer stations were mainly in the range of 100 μm to 500 μm. Microplastics mainly occur as films and fibers. The dominant microplastic type was Rayon, which accounted for 69.4% of the total amount. The rate of microplastic particles emission into the environment for a single transfer station was estimated to be in the range of 41,297 to 82,593 n/h. Compared with the waste reception hall, the concentration of airborne microplastic particles in the roof vent decreased by 25%, which indicated that the odor treatment facility effectively reduces the concentration of microplastic particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Hu
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Pinjing He
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Multi-Source Solid Wastes Co-processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Zhan Yang
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Liming Shao
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Fan Lü
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Multi-Source Solid Wastes Co-processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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39
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Al-Azzawi MSM, Funck M, Kunaschk M, der Esch EV, Jacob O, Freier KP, Schmidt TC, Elsner M, Ivleva NP, Tuerk J, Knoop O, Drewes JE. Microplastic sampling from wastewater treatment plant effluents: Best-practices and synergies between thermoanalytical and spectroscopic analysis. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 219:118549. [PMID: 35561623 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may represent point sources for microplastic discharge into the environment. Quantification of microplastic in effluents of WWTPs has been targeted by several studies although standardized methods are missing to enable a comparability of results. This study discusses theoretical and practical perspectives on best practices for microplastic sampling campaigns of WWTPs. One focus of the study was the potential for synergies between thermoanalytical and spectroscopic analysis to gain more representative sampling using the complementary information provided by the different analytical techniques. Samples were obtained before and after sand filtration from two WWTPs in Germany using cascade filtration with size classes of 5,000 - 100 µm, 100 - 50 µm, and 50 - 10 µm. For spectroscopic methods samples were treated by a Fenton process to remove natural organic matter, whereas TED-GC-MS required only sample extraction from the filter cascade. µFTIR spectroscopy was used for the 100 µm and 50 µm basket filters and µRaman spectroscopy was applied to analyze particles on the smallest basket filter (10 µm). TED-GC-MS was used for all size classes as it is size independent. All techniques showed a similar trend, where PE was consistently the most prominent polymer in WWTP effluents. Based on this insight, PE was chosen as surrogate polymer to investigate whether it can describe the total polymer removal efficiency of tertiary sand filters. The results revealed no significant difference (ANOVA) between retention efficiencies of tertiary sand filtration obtained using only PE and by analyzing all possible polymers with µFTIR and µRaman spectroscopy. Findings from this study provide valuable insights on advantages and limitations of cascade filtration, the benefit of complementary analyses, a suitable design for future experimental approaches, and recommendations for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S M Al-Azzawi
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Matin Funck
- Institut für Energie - und Umwelttechnik e.V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Duisburg, Germany; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry (IAC), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Elisabeth Von der Esch
- Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Oliver Jacob
- Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | | | - Torsten C Schmidt
- Instrumental Analytical Chemistry (IAC), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; IWW Water Centre, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Martin Elsner
- Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Natalia P Ivleva
- Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Jochen Tuerk
- Institut für Energie - und Umwelttechnik e.V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Duisburg, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Knoop
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Jörg E Drewes
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany.
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40
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Roscher L, Halbach M, Nguyen MT, Hebeler M, Luschtinetz F, Scholz-Böttcher BM, Primpke S, Gerdts G. Microplastics in two German wastewater treatment plants: Year-long effluent analysis with FTIR and Py-GC/MS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:152619. [PMID: 34968590 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) have been recorded in various environments around the globe. For a better understanding of distribution patterns and for providing a basis for risk assessments, detailed data on MP concentrations and polymer compositions are required. This study investigated the effluents of two German wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) monthly over one year, in order to better understand their temporal input of MP into the receiving river systems. MP item data down to 11 μm were obtained by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy under the application of an improved polymer database. Complementary mass data were obtained by pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) (for one WWTP). Both FTIR and Py-GC/MS analysis revealed a homogeneous polymer composition over the year, with a general dominance of polyolefins. Elevated MP item and mass concentrations (maximum: 3 × 104 items m-3 and 3.8 × 103 μg m-3) were observed during winter months and were accompanied by either heavy rainfall (increased discharge and total organic carbon) or elevated turbidity values. These observations emphasize the need for the assessment of background parameters in future MP monitoring studies. By providing monthly data over one year on MP items and masses in WWTP effluents, this study helps enhancing the understanding of temporal MP dynamics and can act as a valuable reference point for future assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Roscher
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, D-27483 Helgoland, Germany.
| | - Maurits Halbach
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Minh Trang Nguyen
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, D-27483 Helgoland, Germany
| | | | | | - Barbara M Scholz-Böttcher
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, D-27483 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, D-27483 Helgoland, Germany
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Pérez-Reverón R, González-Sálamo J, Hernández-Sánchez C, González-Pleiter M, Hernández-Borges J, Díaz-Peña FJ. Recycled wastewater as a potential source of microplastics in irrigated soils from an arid-insular territory (Fuerteventura, Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:152830. [PMID: 35016926 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in irrigation recycled wastewaters (RWWs) and a desalinated brackish water (DBW) from the arid territory of Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain) was studied. Besides, the presence of MPs in two types of soils (sandy-loam and clay-loamy; with no mulch film or fertilization with sewage sludge applied) irrigated with both water qualities was addressed. Results showed the prevalence presence of cellulosic and polyester microfibers (between 84.4 and 100%) of blue and transparent colors (up to 55.6 and 33.3%, respectively), with an average length of 786.9 ± 812.1 μm in the water samples. DBW had the lowest MP concentration (2.0 ± 2.0 items·L-1) while RWW showed concentrations up to 40.0 ± 19.0 items·L-1. Similarities were also observed between the MPs types and sizes found in both soils top layer (0-5 cm), with an average concentration three times greater in soil irrigated with RWW than in soil under DBW irrigation (159 ± 338 vs. 46 ± 92 items·kg-1, respectively). In addition, no MPs were extracted from non-irrigated/non-cultivated soils, suggesting agricultural activities as the unique source of MPs in soils of this arid area. Results show that RWWs constitute a potential source of MPs in irrigated soils that should be considered among other pros and cons linked to the use of this water quality in agricultural arid lands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Pérez-Reverón
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Javier González-Sálamo
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Cintia Hernández-Sánchez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Forense y Legal y Parasitología, Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Ingeniería, Sección de Náutica, Máquinas y Radioelectrónica Naval, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Vía Auxiliar Paso Alto, nº 2, 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Miguel González-Pleiter
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Borges
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Francisco J Díaz-Peña
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
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42
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Reuse of Water Contaminated by Microplastics, the Effectiveness of Filtration Processes: A Review. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15072432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Water treatment generally does not specifically address the removal of microplastics (MPs). Nevertheless, treatment plants process water effectively, and the number of synthetic microparticles in effluents is usually very low. Still, discharge volumes from water-treatment plants are often elevated (reaching around 108 L/day), leading to the daily discharge of a substantial number of MPs and microfibers. Furthermore, MPs accumulate in the primary and secondary sludge, which in the end results in another environmental problem as they are currently used to amend soils, both for cultivation and forestry, leading to their dispersion. Something similar occurs with the treatment of water intended for human consumption, which has a much lower but still significant number of MPs. The amount of these pollutants being released into the environment depends on the processes that the water undergoes. One of the most-used treatment processes is rapid sand filtration, which is reviewed in this article. During the filtration process, MPs can break into smaller pieces, resulting in a greater number of plastic particles which mainly accumulate in sewage sludge. Thermal processes, such as incineration, carried out in facilities with the best available techniques in practice, could guarantee the safe disposal of highly MP-contaminated sewage sludges.
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Long-Term Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in WWTPs: A Case Study in Southwest Europe. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12042133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) water pollution is a major problem that the world is currently facing, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent one of the main alternatives to reduce the MP release to the environment. Several studies have analysed punctual samples taken throughout the wastewater treatment line. However, there are few long-term studies on the evolution of MPs over time in WWTPs. This work analyses the performance of a WWTP sited in Southwest Europe in relation with annual occurrence and fate of MPs. Samples were monthly taken at different points of the facility (influent, secondary effluent, final effluent, and sludge) and MPs were quantified and characterised by means of stereomicroscopy and FTIR spectrophotometry. The majority of MPs found in wastewater and sludge samples were fragments and fibres. Regarding to the chemical composition, in the water samples, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) stood out, whereas, in the sludge samples, the main polymers were PET, polyamide (PA) and polystyrene (PS). The MPs more easily removed during the wastewater treatment processes were those with sizes greater than 500 µm. Results showed that the MPs removal was very high during all the period analysed with removal efficiencies between 89% and 95%, so no great variations were found between months. MP concentrations in dry sludge samples ranged between 12 and 39 MPs/g, which represented around 79% of the total MPs removed during the wastewater treatment processes. It is noticeable that a trend between temperature and MPs entrapped in sewage sludge was observed, i.e., higher temperatures entailed higher percentage of retention.
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Galafassi S, Di Cesare A, Di Nardo L, Sabatino R, Valsesia A, Fumagalli FS, Corno G, Volta P. Microplastic retention in small and medium municipal wastewater treatment plants and the role of the disinfection. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:10535-10546. [PMID: 34528196 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16453-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) efficiently retain microplastic particles (MPs) generated within urban areas. Among the wastewater treatment steps, disinfection has not been characterized for its potential MPs retention activity, although it has been reported that processes used to abate the bacterial load could also affect MPs concentration. For this reason, we evaluated the MPs concentration across the overall wastewater treatment process and before and after the disinfection step in four small/medium WWTPs located in the north of Italy. Most of the MPs found in the samples were fibers or fragments, smaller than 500 μm, mainly composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. The retention efficiency at the outlets was higher than 94% in all the plants analyzed. More interestingly, the disinfection treatments adopted by the different WWTPs reduced MPs concentration from a minimum of 9.1% (UV treatment) to a maximum of 67.6% (chlorination), promoting a further increase of the overall retention efficiency of the WWTPs from 0.4 to 0.7%. Quantitatively, the disinfection contributes to the MPs reduction in the outlets by retaining 0.5-6.7 million MPs per day, in WWTPs that discharge 2.7-12 million MPs per day. The results of the present work underline the importance of a careful choice of the steps that constitute the wastewater treatment, including disinfection, in order to minimize MPs discharge into the natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Galafassi
- CNR - Water Research Institute, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy.
| | - Andrea Di Cesare
- CNR - Water Research Institute, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Nardo
- CNR - Water Research Institute, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy
| | - Raffaella Sabatino
- CNR - Water Research Institute, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy
| | - Andrea Valsesia
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Corno
- CNR - Water Research Institute, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy
| | - Pietro Volta
- CNR - Water Research Institute, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy
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45
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Zhang M, Lin Y, Booth AM, Song X, Cui Y, Xia B, Gu Z, Li Y, Liu F, Cai M. Fate, source and mass budget of sedimentary microplastics in the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 294:118640. [PMID: 34875265 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As reservoirs for pollutants transported via the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, the Bohai Sea (BS) and Yellow Sea (YS) play an important role in transporting microplastics (MPs) to the Pacific Ocean. The fate, sources and mass budget of MPs in the BS and the YS were investigated by Pearson correlation, principal component analysis-multilinear regression analysis (PCA-MRLA) and a mass balance model to sedimentary MPs data. Average MP abundances were 137 and 119 items kg-1 in the Bohai and Yellow Seas, respectively. MPs <1000 μm exhibited similar distribution patterns to total organic carbon and fine-grained sediments, while MPs >1000 μm were confined in the BS and exhibited a strong positive correlation with chlorophyll-a and polyethylene terephthalate, suggesting that larger MPs might deposit faster due to biofouling or when comprised of high density polymers. PCA-MLRA analysis indicated land-based inputs (packing materials, textile material and daily commodities) were dominant in the BS, while maritime activities (fishing and mariculture) were the main source of MPs in the YS. The mass balance model revealed that the total MP input and output to the BS and the YS was 3396.92 t yr-1 and 3814.81 t yr-1, respectively. The major input pathway of MPs to the BS and the YS were river discharge and air deposition, respectively. Notably, 94% of MPs in the BS and the YS were deposited to sediments. This study revealed that BS and YS sediments play an important role in preventing MPs from being further transported to the Pacific Ocean, thus more attention should be paid to local ecological risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China
| | - Yan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, 361002, China
| | - Andy M Booth
- SINTEF Ocean, Department of Climate and Environment, Trondheim, 7465, Norway
| | - Xikun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China
| | - Yaozong Cui
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China
| | - Bin Xia
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Zhangjie Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China
| | - Yifan Li
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China
| | - Fengjiao Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou, 363000, China
| | - Minggang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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46
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Kittipongvises S, Phetrak A, Hongprasith N, Lohwacharin J. Unravelling capability of municipal wastewater treatment plant in Thailand for microplastics: Effects of seasonality on detection, fate and transport. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 302:113990. [PMID: 34717107 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Many factors can affect microplastics (MPs) behaviors in aquatic environments. The effects of seasonal and meteorological conditions on MPs are not well understood. This study demonstrates the impacts of seasonality on the fate and transport, and the efficacy of MPs removal by a wastewater treatment plant. The fate and transport of MPs at a WWTP in Nonthaburi, Thailand were tracked during the dry and wet seasons of 2019-2020. Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and toothpaste formulations were the most abundant MP types observed. Total detected MP quantities ranged between 76 and 192 particles L-1 during the dry season, and only 36-68 particles L-1 during the wet season, indicating runoff dilution effects. T-test analysis found a statistically significant difference between MP concentrations between the dry and wet seasons of 2019-2020. Spearman's correlation showed statistically strong negative relationships between MP concentrations versus wastewater flow, and MP concentrations versus precipitation; a positive correlation between MP abundance versus temperature in the treatment system was observed. During the dry seasons, MPs were mostly found in the aeration process, and were mostly rayon or polyester particles in the shape of fibers. Contrarily, in the wet seasons, MPs were detected in both the raw influent and aeration process, with PE, polyacrylate, and polyethylene terephthalate fragments dominating the make-up. MPs were also detected in the return activated sludge, thus calling for proper sludge age and drainage management. No MPs were detected in the plant's effluent during the wet season, suggesting that the plant had sufficient MPs removal capability during normal wet-season conditions. Overall, this study suggests that municipalities should focus on increasing MPs removal efficiency of wastewater treatment plants for dry seasons, while properly managing the water flows of combined sewage systems to prevent overflows that may inevitably become point-sources of MPs release into water bodies during wet seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Athit Phetrak
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Narapong Hongprasith
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
| | - Jenyuk Lohwacharin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Chulalongkorn University, Thailand; Professor Aroon Sorathesn Center of Excellence in Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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47
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Huber M, Archodoulaki VM, Pomakhina E, Pukánszky B, Zinöcker E, Gahleitner M. Environmental degradation and formation of secondary microplastics from packaging material: A polypropylene film case study. Polym Degrad Stab 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2021.109794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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48
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Alfonso MB, Arias AH, Ronda AC, Piccolo MC. Continental microplastics: Presence, features, and environmental transport pathways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 799:149447. [PMID: 34371405 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous contaminants of great concern for the environment. MPs' presence and concentration in the air, soil, marine, and freshwater environments have been reported as a matter of priority in recent years. This review addresses the current knowledge of the main pathways of MPs in air, soil, and freshwater reservoirs in order to provide an integrated understanding of their behaviors in the continental environment. Therefore, MPs' occurrence (as particle counts), sources, and how their features as shape, size, polymer composition, and density could influence their transport and final sink were discussed. Wind resuspension and atmospheric fallout, groundwater migration, runoff from catchments, and water flow from rivers and effluents were pointed as the principal pathways. MPs' size, shape, polymer composition, and density interact with environmental variables as soil structure and composition, precipitation, wind, relative humidity, water temperature, and salinity. Sampling designs for MPs research should further consider soil characteristics, climate variability and extreme events, time lag and grasshopper effects, morphological and hydrological features of aquatic systems, and water currents, among others. Furthermore, long-term monitoring and lab experiments are still needed to understand MPs' behavior in the environment. This information will provide a unified understanding of the continental MPs pathways, including the key main findings, knowledge gaps, and future challenges to understand this emerging contaminant.
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Affiliation(s)
- María B Alfonso
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-CONICET, Florida 8000, Complejo CCT CONICET Bahía Blanca, Edificio E1, B8000BFW Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasuga-Koen, Kasuga 816-8580, Japan.
| | - Andrés H Arias
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-CONICET, Florida 8000, Complejo CCT CONICET Bahía Blanca, Edificio E1, B8000BFW Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Avenida Alem 1253, B8000DIC Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Ana C Ronda
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-CONICET, Florida 8000, Complejo CCT CONICET Bahía Blanca, Edificio E1, B8000BFW Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Avenida Alem 1253, B8000DIC Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María C Piccolo
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-CONICET, Florida 8000, Complejo CCT CONICET Bahía Blanca, Edificio E1, B8000BFW Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Geografía y Turismo, Universidad Nacional del Sur, 12 de Octubre 1198 4°Piso, B8000CTX Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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49
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Lusher AL, Hurley R, Arp HPH, Booth AM, Bråte ILN, Gabrielsen GW, Gomiero A, Gomes T, Grøsvik BE, Green N, Haave M, Hallanger IG, Halsband C, Herzke D, Joner EJ, Kögel T, Rakkestad K, Ranneklev SB, Wagner M, Olsen M. Moving forward in microplastic research: A Norwegian perspective. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106794. [PMID: 34358913 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Given the increasing attention on the occurrence of microplastics in the environment, and the potential environmental threats they pose, there is a need for researchers to move quickly from basic understanding to applied science that supports decision makers in finding feasible mitigation measures and solutions. At the same time, they must provide sufficient, accurate and clear information to the media, public and other relevant groups (e.g., NGOs). Key requirements include systematic and coordinated research efforts to enable evidence-based decision making and to develop efficient policy measures on all scales (national, regional and global). To achieve this, collaboration between key actors is essential and should include researchers from multiple disciplines, policymakers, authorities, civil and industry organizations, and the public. This further requires clear and informative communication processes, and open and continuous dialogues between all actors. Cross-discipline dialogues between researchers should focus on scientific quality and harmonization, defining and accurately communicating the state of knowledge, and prioritization of topics that are critical for both research and policy, with the common goal to establish and update action plans for holistic benefit. In Norway, cross-sectoral collaboration has been fundamental in supporting the national strategy to address plastic pollution. Researchers, stakeholders and the environmental authorities have come together to exchange knowledge, identify knowledge gaps, and set targeted and feasible measures to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of plastic pollution: microplastic. In this article, we present a Norwegian perspective on the state of knowledge on microplastic research efforts. Norway's involvement in international efforts to combat plastic pollution aims at serving as an example of how key actors can collaborate synergistically to share knowledge, address shortcomings, and outline ways forward to address environmental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Lusher
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, NO-5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Rachel Hurley
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Hans Peter H Arp
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box 3930 Ullevål Stadion, NO-0806 Oslo, Norway; Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Andy M Booth
- SINTEF Ocean, Brattørkaia 17 C, NO-7010 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Inger Lise N Bråte
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir W Gabrielsen
- Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Alessio Gomiero
- Norwegian Research Center (NORCE), Nygårdsporten 112, NO-5008 Bergen, Norway
| | - Tânia Gomes
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Einar Grøsvik
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Norman Green
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Marte Haave
- Norwegian Research Center (NORCE), Nygårdsporten 112, NO-5008 Bergen, Norway; Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, NO-5007 Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway; Institute for Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Erik J Joner
- Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Høyskoleveien 7, NO-1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Tanja Kögel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, NO-5020 Bergen, Norway; Institute of Marine Research (IMR), P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Kirsten Rakkestad
- The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM), P.O. Box 222 Skøyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sissel B Ranneklev
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Wagner
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marianne Olsen
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway
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50
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Tiller R, Booth A, Kubowicz S, Jahren S. Co-production of future scenarios of policy action plans in a science-policy-industry interface - The case of microfibre pollution from waste water treatment plants in Norway. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113062. [PMID: 34744010 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113062] [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: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One of the ambitions of the UN Decade of Ocean Science is stakeholder interaction to co-produce new ideas and solutions for policy action plans to ensure that environmental challenges are mitigated in a timely manner. Regulations around the release of microfibres are largely lacking, and we are at an excellent point of departure to test integrative methods of such co-production. We co-designed conceptual maps and Bayesian Belief Networks with probabilistic future scenarios within both inter- and intra-sectoral workshops with industry and scientific stakeholders to gain comparable results of policy action scenarios for curbing the challenge of microfibre pollution within this context. We found that when scientists worked on this alone, their focus was different than when working together with industry directly. Scientists focused on methods for avoiding release into the environment from a technical vantage point, whereas industry emphasized regulatory requirements needed to avoid ambiguity within the sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Tiller
- SINTEF Ocean, Brattørkaia 17C, 7010 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Andy Booth
- SINTEF Ocean, Brattørkaia 17C, 7010 Trondheim, Norway.
| | | | - Susie Jahren
- AION by AkerBiomarine, Oksenøyveien 10, P.O. Box 496, 1327 Lysaker, Norway.
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