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Environmental Sink of Microplastics Associated with Wastewater Treatment and Allied Processes
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This review examines the fate of microplastics as they pass through wastewater treatment processes and associated operations, identifying which treatment stages remove particles and where microplastics escape into receiving environments. The authors highlight that while treatment plants retain the majority of microplastics, significant quantities are released via effluents and biosolid land application.
Microplastics, which are small plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm, have been identified as an emerging environmental contaminant. With the increasing production and usage of plastic, microplastics are now commonly found in various environmental matrices, including wastewater. Wastewater treatment plants are considered as a key environmental sink for microplastics due to their ability to capture and remove solid particles. However, recent studies have shown that microplastics can still escape wastewater treatment plants and enter the environment, leading to potential ecological and human health impacts. This chapter provides an overview of the current knowledge on the environmental sink of microplastics associated with wastewater treatment and allied processes. The chapter discusses the occurrence and fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, including the different treatment processes and their efficiency in removing microplastics. The chapter also explores the potential pathways for microplastics to enter the environment from wastewater treatment plants and their subsequent impacts on the environment and human health. Finally, the chapter highlights the need for improved wastewater treatment technologies and the adoption of sustainable practices to reduce the release of microplastics into the environment.
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