We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic removal in managed aquifer recharge using wastewater effluent
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how effectively a managed aquifer recharge system using wastewater effluent removes microplastics as water filters through different layers of natural materials. They found that the reactive barriers significantly reduced microplastic concentrations, with removal efficiency depending on the type of barrier material and depth. The study suggests that managed aquifer recharge can serve as an additional treatment step for reducing microplastic contamination in recycled water.
Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental issue, with its impacts on ecosystems and human health yet to be fully understood. This study aims to investigate the presence and distribution of MPs in the soil of a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) system, built with different reactive barriers of natural materials and irrigated with the secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). MPs were extracted from reactive barrier material following an approach based on the density separation of MPs with posterior oxidant digestion, combined with visual and chemical characterisation by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results revealed the widespread occurrence of MPs in the MAR soil samples. MPs concentration in the different barrier materials ranged from 60 to 236 n kg-1. The most dominant morphologies were fragments (60%) and fibers (17%), and the most abundant colour was white (51%), followed by transparent MPs (20%). Polypropylene (PP) was detected in all the samples with an abundance of 47%, followed by polyethylene (PE, 34%). The interplay of barrier composition significantly influences the retention of MPs, with compost (T5) and woodchips (T4) exhibiting the most notable retention rates. Remarkably, the outer layers of the reactive barriers display superior retention compared to the deeper layers. The findings of this study demonstrate the good performance of the MAR system in retaining MPs and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on MPs pollution in freshwater systems while providing insights into the dynamics of MPs transport and accumulation in soil. Such information can inform the development of effective wastewater management strategies to mitigate the impacts of these pollutants on water resources and safeguard the environment.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic retention within infiltration basins used for managed aquifer recharge: Effectiveness and key controlling factors
AI summary Read the abstract
When water soaks into the ground to refill underground water supplies (a process called managed aquifer recharge), scientists found that the top layer of sediment acts like a natural filter, trapping about 70% of microplastic particles before they can reach deeper groundwater. This matters because it suggests these recharge systems can help keep our drinking water sources cleaner, though the amount of filtering depended on how long water sat in the basin and other site conditions—meaning not all systems may work equally well.
Microplastics transport during Managed Aquifer Recharge – A potential cause of groundwater contamination?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastics at multiple stages of a major managed aquifer recharge system in Switzerland and found that plastic particles from the Rhine River can penetrate through the treatment process into pumped groundwater, raising concerns about drinking water quality.
Clogging risk of microplastics particles in porous media during artificial recharge: a laboratory experiment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted laboratory experiments to assess the clogging risk that microplastic particles pose to porous media during managed aquifer recharge, a common groundwater replenishment technique. They found that most microplastics were intercepted in the surface layer of sand columns, with smaller particles causing more severe clogging and reduced hydraulic conductivity. The study suggests that microplastics entering groundwater recharge systems could compromise aquifer performance over time.
Microplastics attenuation from surface water to drinking water: Impact of treatment and managed aquifer recharge – and identification uncertainties
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked microplastics (larger than 20 micrometers) through six stages of a Managed Aquifer Recharge drinking water system and found progressive attenuation at each treatment stage, though some microplastics persisted into the final drinking water.
Quantifying the self-purification efficiency of interfaces involved during natural and artificial aquifer recharges: Microplastic Transfer Through Infiltration Practices and Their Impacts on the Ecological Functioning of Water-Sediment Interface and Groundwater Quality
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers quantified the self-purification efficiency of water-sediment interfaces during natural and artificial aquifer recharge, investigating how microplastics transfer through infiltration practices and impact the ecological functioning of these interfaces and groundwater quality. The study examined the mechanisms by which infiltration systems either retain or transmit microplastics during subsurface water movement.
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.