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Release of microplastics from polymeric ultrafiltration membrane system for drinking water treatment under different operating conditions
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Researchers discovered that the plastic membrane filters used to purify drinking water can actually release microplastics into the treated water. The particles came not just from the membrane itself but also from plastic equipment in the system, meaning that water treatment technology designed to remove contaminants may inadvertently be adding new plastic particles to our drinking water.
Drinking water has emerged as an important route for microplastics (MPs) to enter the human body, prompting concerns about their adverse health impacts. Membrane filtration technology is widely recognized as an effective treatment solution for combating MP pollution in water. However, recent research disputes that polymeric membrane systems may serve as additional sources of MPs in drinking water. The aim of this research is to investigate MP release from ultrafiltration membrane systems under different operating conditions by providing concrete evidence, identifying the operational factors contributing to the release, and elucidating the underlying possible mechanisms. Two key pieces of evidence were found to support the assertion that MPs were released from membrane systems, i.e., negative removal efficiency and an alteration in MP compositions observed between feed and permeate samples. Surprisingly, the MPs released from the membrane system originated not only from the membrane material and its additives but also from plastic-made equipment and even the other polymers used in the system. Overall results reveal that destructive activities such as shear stress, mechanical abrasion, and chemical oxidation processes, along with the carrying of MPs from external sources, are identified as potential mechanisms driving the concentration increase and polymer composition shift of MPs in permeate water. This study enhances an understanding of MP pollution in drinking water caused by membrane technology, potentially spurring the development of mitigation strategies for this issue.
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Fate and Behavior of Microplastics in Ultrafiltration Membrane Systems for Water Treatment: Fouling, Releasing, and Organic Leaching
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Researchers investigated the fate and behavior of microplastics in ultrafiltration membrane systems used for water treatment, examining three key phenomena: membrane fouling caused by microplastic deposition, release of microplastics through membrane failure or bypass, and leaching of organic additives from microplastics. The work provides mechanistic understanding of how microplastics interact with ultrafiltration systems in drinking water treatment contexts.
[Effects of Microplastics on Membrane Fouling During a Shortened Ultrafiltration Membrane Process].
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This study investigated how microplastics in freshwater affect membrane fouling during ultrafiltration — a common drinking water treatment step — finding that their presence can compromise filter performance and potentially allows microplastics to pass into treated water supplies.
Do membrane filtration systems in drinking water treatment plants release nano/microplastics?
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Analysis of membrane filtration systems in drinking water treatment plants found that physical cleaning, chemical exposure, aging, and mechanical wear can all cause membranes to release nano/microplastics into the treated water supply — identifying treatment infrastructure itself as a potential source of plastic contamination.
Hydraulic and chemical cleaning efficiency for the release of microplastics retained during coagulation/flocculation-ultrafiltration
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Researchers studied how effectively ultrafiltration membranes used in drinking water treatment can capture microplastics, and whether standard cleaning procedures release them back into treated water. They found that while the membranes effectively retained microplastics during filtration, chemical cleaning with sodium hypochlorite released a significant portion of the trapped particles. The study raises important questions about whether routine membrane cleaning in water treatment plants may inadvertently reintroduce microplastics into the drinking water supply.
Purifying or polluting? Tracing membrane-based microplastics release for long-term drinking water safety
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This study investigated whether the polymeric membranes used in drinking water filtration systems might themselves release microplastics, and researchers found that chemical cleaning and pre-oxidation treatments significantly increased particle shedding. Most released particles were in the concerning 1-to-5 micrometer size range, though the research also identified operating conditions under which membrane systems remain effective net purifiers over time.
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