Determination of Water Quality and Pollution by Micro and Nano Plastics in Water Treatment Plants

This study aimed to determine the basic physicochemical measurements and contamination with micro-nano plastics of water of two water treatment plants (Al-Baradi’yah plant and Al-Abbas plant) in Basra governorate. Water samples were passed in the study stations to three sizes of stainless steel sieves, and the suspended materials were subjected to wet peroxide. Micro plastics were identified through the positive visual inspection by dissecting microscope. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy EDS has been used to estimate the ratio of the elements in the samples. Al-Baradi'yah Water Treatment Plant showed higher values of conductivity of 4.42 mS/cm and salinity of 2.93 g/l in all areas (Raw, Sedimentation basins, and produced water) than the other station. However, the turbidity rate was found to be higher than the permissible limit for both stations. The EDS analysis to tested samples did not confirm the presence of microplastics by not being sensitive to the carbon component of the polymeric chains, the spectrum showed elements used in the experimental examination Na, Cl, O, and S in the samples 0.160 mm sieve in both of treatment plants.