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Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics on the operation of biological wastewater treatment reactors
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This review examines the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the performance of biological wastewater treatment reactors, focusing on how their hydrophobicity enables adsorption of microorganisms and pollutants. Researchers found that wastewater treatment plants are primary emitters of micro- and nanoplastics to aquatic ecosystems, while the particles also disrupt microbial communities within treatment systems.
Los micro y nanoplásticos son considerados contaminantes de preocupación emergente, los cuales se han convertido en un problema mundial por su ubicuidad en ecosistemas acuáticos, terrestres y aéreos. Sus características tales como hidrofobicidad les posibilita para adsorber en su superficie microorganismos y contaminantes, actuando como vectores de contaminación. Los principales emisores de micro y nanoplásticos a los ecosistemas son las estaciones depuradoras de aguas residuales (EDAR), las cuales mediante diferentes procesos y operaciones logran eliminar parte de estos contaminantes, pero cierta fracción escapa al ecosistema fluvial y terrestre causando efectos en dicho ecosistema y a las especies que allí habitan, incluidos los seres humanos. Estos materiales también causan daños en las instalaciones de las estaciones depuradoras, produciendo diferentes alteraciones en los reactores biológicos, por ello, conviene retirarlos del agua mediante diferentes mecanismos. También se contemplan los humedales tanto como tratamiento terciario de las estaciones depuradoras y como tratamiento de las aguas residuales de pequeñas aglomeraciones urbanas y zonas rurales.
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Microplastics’ toxic effects and influencing factors on microorganisms in biological wastewater treatment units
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This review examines how microplastics harm the biological treatment processes in sewage treatment plants by disrupting the microbial communities that break down waste. Microplastics alter the structure of these essential microbial communities, reduce their activity, and release toxic additives that cause oxidative stress and enzyme damage. Since treatment plants are a key barrier between pollutants and waterways, understanding how microplastics compromise their effectiveness is important for protecting downstream drinking water sources.
Responses of nitrogen removal under microplastics versus nanoplastics stress in SBR: Toxicity, microbial community and functional genes
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Researchers compared the effects of microplastics versus nanoplastics on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactors used in wastewater treatment. The study found that microplastics had no significant effect on nitrogen removal, while high concentrations of nanoplastics impaired the process by disrupting microbial communities and functional gene expression. The results suggest that nanoplastics may pose a greater threat to biological wastewater treatment performance than microplastics.
Effects of typical emerging pollutants on biological treatment systems: processes, mechanisms, and recovery strategies
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This review paper summarizes existing research on how nanomaterials, microplastics, and certain fluorinated chemicals affect wastewater treatment systems that rely on microorganisms. It covers how these pollutants move through such systems, how they affect microbial communities and activity, and strategies for helping systems recover.
Microplastics-biofilm interactions in biofilm-based wastewater treatment processes: A review
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This review examines how microplastics interact with the beneficial biofilms used in wastewater treatment systems. Researchers found that microplastics can both disrupt biofilm function and serve as surfaces where biofilms form, creating a complex relationship that affects treatment efficiency. The study highlights the need for wastewater facilities to account for microplastic contamination when designing and operating biofilm-based treatment processes.
Micro- and nanoplastics removal mechanisms in wastewater treatment plants: A review
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This review examines how conventional wastewater treatment plants remove micro- and nanoplastics, and evaluates advanced technologies like membrane filtration and electrocoagulation that could improve removal rates. While existing treatment plants can capture most microplastics, they still release significant quantities into waterways through their enormous discharge volumes. The study highlights that biological treatment steps may also transform microplastics in potentially harmful ways that need further investigation.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.