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Microplastics removal efficiency in wastewater treatment plants in Jordan
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Even in a water-scarce country like Jordan, wastewater treatment plants are releasing significant quantities of microplastics into the environment. This study found that a major Jordanian treatment plant removed only 62% of incoming microplastics, with fibers and fragments particularly resistant to the treatment process. With 62 microplastics per liter entering and nearly 24 per liter leaving in treated effluent, the findings highlight an urgent need for upgraded filtration technologies — especially in regions where treated wastewater is commonly reused for irrigation.
ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the concentration and removal efficiency of microplastics (MPs) at a major wastewater treatment plant in Jordan, a region with limited data on MP pollution.MethodsA field-based experimental study was conducted. Grab samples of 14 L were collected from both influent and effluent streams on a single sampling day. Wet sieving was used to isolate MPs in the 38-1000 µm range, followed by wet peroxide oxidation and optical microscopy for particle quantification and morphological classification.ResultsThe influent contained an average of 62.6 MPs/L, while the effluent had 23.8 MPs/L, resulting in an overall MP removal efficiency of 62%. Fibers and fragments were the most prevalent types in the effluent, indicating partial resistance to the treatment process.ConclusionThe results underscore the presence of residual MPs in treated wastewater and suggest a need for more robust filtration technologies and plastic management strategies to reduce environmental MP release.
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