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Factors Controlling Microplastic Concentrations and Polymer Profiles in Wastewater, Storm Water, and Surface Water
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A critical review of 143 studies found that microplastic concentrations in wastewater span eight orders of magnitude, with the highest levels in the smallest particle size fractions, while polyethylene and polypropylene are the most commonly detected polymers across freshwater systems. The wide variation is largely an artifact of inconsistent sampling, extraction, and analytical methods, making direct comparisons between studies unreliable and complicating decisions about water treatment and regulation.
Factors Controlling Microplastic Concentrations and Polymer Profiles in Wastewater, Storm Water, and Surface WaterAbstractA critical literature review was performed to document current microplastic occurrence data across freshwater matrices (i.e., drinking water, groundwater, surface water, stormwater, wastewater). A total of 143 studies meeting minimum quality standards were included in the resulting microplastic occurrence database. The various extraction methods, analysis techniques, and quality assurance controls were documented. Results indicated that MP concentrations reported in wastewater varied eight orders of magnitude with generally the highest concentration reported for particles in the smallest size range. Researchers reported one to seventeen polymer types per sample with polyethylene and polypropylene the most commonly observed polymers. Utilities and practitioners should be aware of the impact of various study designs and analysis methods on observed MP concentration and polymer profiles as well as quality assurance issues in the current literature when using it for decision making.MP concentrations reported in wastewater varied eight orders of magnitude and generally the highest concentration reported for particles in the smallest size range. However, comparison of the literature reporting microplastics across water matrices requires careful evaluation given the wide range of sampling techniques and volumes, extraction techniques, and analytical approaches. Utilities and practitioners should be aware of methods and quality assurance issues in the current literature whenSpeakerFahrenfeld, NicolePresentation time08:30:0008:50:00Session time08:30:0010:00:00SessionUpdates on Microplastics Occurrence, Regulation, and RemovalSession locationRoom S404a - Level 4TopicAdvanced Level, Disinfection and Public Health, Microconstituents and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (Non-PFAS), Research and InnovationTopicAdvanced Level, Disinfection and Public Health, Microconstituents and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (Non-PFAS), Research and InnovationAuthor(s)Fahrenfeld, NicoleAuthor(s)N.L. Fahrenfeld 1; F. Amurrio 2 ; N. Suresh 1; J. Chan 1; L. Ochoa Romero 1; D. Antoine 3; G. Arbuckle-Keil 4; N.L. Fahrenfeld 1;Author affiliation(s)Rutgers Camden 1; Rutgers 2 ; Rutgers 1; Rutgers 1; Rutgers 1; Rutgers 3; Rutgers Camden 4; Rutgers 1;SourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Oct 2023DOI10.2175/193864718825159074Volume / Issue Content sourceWEFTECCopyright2023Word count15
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