We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Characterization and removal of microplastics in the Guheshwori Wastewater Treatment Plant, Nepal
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized microplastic contamination at a wastewater treatment plant in Kathmandu, Nepal, finding an average of 31 particles per liter in incoming wastewater. The plant removed about 72.5% of microplastics, but significant amounts still escaped into the Bagmati River through treated water and sludge. This study from South Asia highlights that wastewater treatment in developing countries may not be sufficient to prevent microplastic pollution of rivers used for drinking water.
Contamination of river water systems by microplastic particles (MPPs) is one of the emerging global environmental concerns with potentially widespread ecological, socioeconomic, and health implications. A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) processes and treats wastewater to remove pollutants and release safe water into the environment. There has been limited research on the characterization of microplastics and their removal in WWTP in South Asia. In this work, we report on the characterization of microplastics in wastewater and sludge samples (n = 300) from Guheshwori WWTP located on the bank of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu city, Nepal representing inlet, secondary aeration tank (SAT), outlet, and sludge from November 2021 to November 2022. On average, we detected 31.2 ± 17.3 MPPs/L, 11.2 ± 9.4 MPPs/L, 8.5 ± 5.6 MPPs/L, and 6.6 ± 4.8 MPPs/g in the samples collected from inlet, SAT, outlet, and sludge, respectively. Commonly found MPPs were in the form of fiber, fragments, foam, and pellets. Largely, MPPs were red, yellow, white, blue, and black. Among the 44 μm - 150 μm, 150 μm - 500 μm and 500 μm - 5 mm categories of size fractions, the most dominant fractions were 500 μm - 150 μm in inlet, SAT, and sludge, and 150 μm - 44 μm in the outlet sampling unit. The Guheshwori WWTP was able to remove 72.5 % of MPPs on average, that mostly occurred in the inlet. The effluent released into the river and the sludge still contained a significant number of MPPs.
More Papers Like This
Characterization and removal of microplastics in Guheshwori wastewater treatment plant in Nepal
AI summary Read the abstract
A Nepalese wastewater treatment plant on the Bagmati River removed about 77.5% of incoming microplastics on average, but significant quantities of fibers, fragments, and pellets were still present in the treated effluent and sludge discharged to the river. This is one of the first microplastics studies from South Asia and demonstrates that even where treatment infrastructure exists, it cannot fully prevent microplastics from reaching waterways.
Occurence of Microplastics and Estimation of Sources to River Water in Kathmandu City, Nepal
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic concentrations in road dust and river surface water in Kathmandu, Nepal were measured for particles larger than 100 µm, finding 25.7-339 items/m2 in road dust and 600-45,600 items/m3 in river water. The results suggest that untreated sewage discharged directly into rivers is the primary source of waterway microplastic contamination in Kathmandu, and that building wastewater treatment infrastructure could substantially reduce river microplastic loads.
Assessment of Microplastics in Hanumante River of Kathmandu Valley
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found 14–23 microplastic particles per liter in water samples from the Hanumante River in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate identified as the dominant polymer types. The contamination reflects poor plastic waste management in the surrounding communities, as the river receives untreated runoff and waste. The study underscores the need for improved waste infrastructure in rapidly urbanizing South Asian cities to prevent rivers from becoming conduits for microplastic pollution.
Abundance, characterization, and removal of microplastics in different technology-based sewage treatment plants discharging into the middle stretch of the Ganga River, India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic abundance, characteristics, and removal efficiency at sewage treatment plants discharging into the Ganga River in India, finding microplastic concentrations in influent and effluent varied by treatment technology. The study highlighted that Indian STPs need improved characterization of their microplastic discharge to the Ganga.
Characterization and removal of microplastics in a sewage treatment plant from urban Nagpur, India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected microplastics in all stages of a sewage treatment plant in Nagpur, India, finding that the treatment process reduced but did not eliminate microplastics from effluent. Sludge accumulated high concentrations of microplastics, raising concerns about land application of treated sludge.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.