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Microplastic Abundance and Distribution in a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bangladesh
Summary
Researchers investigated the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the Pagla Sewage Water Treatment Plant in Bangladesh, examining influent, effluent, and sludge to assess the facility as a potential source of microplastic pollution across multiple environmental compartments. The study found microplastics present throughout the treatment process, highlighting wastewater treatment plants as under-studied vectors of microplastic dispersal.
BACKGROUND AND AIM Of late, microplastics have been considered an emerging contaminant for humans and the environment due to their long-term persistence and unique properties. As a result, a lot of attention has been drawn to microplastic pollution in soil, sediments, rivers, and oceans. However, little attention has been paid to wastewater treatment plants that can be a significant source of microplastic pollution in different niches of the environment. In this study, an investigation was carried out on the Pagla Sewage Water Treatment Plant to determine the abundance and occurrence of microplastics through a well-developed systemic procedure. The broader goal was to give a comprehensive idea for a better understanding of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as an important pathway for microplastics introduced to the environment. METHODS Samples were collected from eight stations, including influent, distribution chamber, measuring chamber, sludge, lagoon, and effluent. Samples collected were analyzed using techniques such as visual, microscopic, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis to determine the abundance and composition of microplastics. RESULTS The type of microplastics obtained in the treatment plant included polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, and poly (methyl methacrylate). Interestingly, the total number of microplastics observed in the influent sample (34) was found to be decreased in the effluent sample (15) without any targeted treatment technology for the removal of microplastics. Therefore, the microplastics discharged in the effluent into the nearby Buriganga river may increase the load of microplastics in the river. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides an insight into the occurrence and abundance of microplastics in a wastewater treatment plant. Future research is needed to determine the role of wastewater treatment plants on the properties of microplastics and to develop technologies to mitigate the load of microplastics in the effluent. KEYWORDS Microplastic, Wastewater treatment plant, influent, effluent, polyethylene