We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The distribution and risk of microplastics discharged from sewage treatment plants in terrestrial and aquatic compartment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that sewage treatment plants reduced microplastic concentrations by roughly 80-90% between influent and effluent, but remaining particles discharged via treated water and sludge still posed measurable ecological risks to surrounding terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Many microplastics (MPs) were produced in daily life, which would enter sewage treatment plants (STPs) with the wastewater. Although the STPs has a good interception effect on these MPs, there will still be a part of MPs entering the environment with the effluent and sludge treatment, causing a certain ecological risk. This study investigated the abundance, characteristics and retention of MPs in different STPs, as well as the ecological risks caused by MPs entering the environment. The abundance of MPs in influent and effluent was ranged from 2.02 to 2.50 items L and 0.27-0.48 items L, respectively. The abundance of MPs in dewatered sludge and sediment of Lake Dianchi was ranged from 3.719-6.949 × 10 items (kg Ds) and 1.84-5.23 × 10 items (kg Ds), respectively. So roughly 80% of the MPs were trapped and transferred into the dewatered sludge. The observed colors of MPs were transparent, black, blue, red, pale brown, green and gray, and their main species were polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). To further evaluate the ecological risks of MPs, the oyster mushroom was cultivated in a medium supplemented with MPs. It was found that MPs could be absorbed by oyster mushrooms with a 7-11% of absorption rate, the fibers were widely distributed in the stipes and the pileus. This study had theoretical significance for exploring the distribution of MPs in STPs and clarifying the ecological risk posed by MPs in the environment.
More Papers Like This
Sources, fate, effects, and analysis of microplastic in wastewater treatment plants: A review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how wastewater treatment plants handle microplastics, finding that while they can remove over 90% of particles, the sheer volume of water processed means billions of microplastics still escape into waterways daily. The remaining microplastics also concentrate in sewage sludge, which is often spread on agricultural land. Wastewater treatment plants are both a filter for and a redistribution point of microplastic pollution.
Occurrence of microplastics in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants : growing threat to the environment?
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines studies on microplastic occurrence in wastewater treatment plant effluents, synthesizing evidence that treatment plants both retain and release significant quantities of microplastics and are a major pathway for plastic particles entering aquatic environments.
Reduction of the input of microplastics via wastewater into the aquatic environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers quantified how effectively conventional wastewater treatment plants and additional filtration steps remove microplastics from sewage, finding that mechanical-biological treatment removed over 99% of microplastic mass, with advanced filtration achieving 99.9-99.99% removal. However, the remaining fraction still represents large quantities of plastics discharged to waterways daily, and stormwater overflows remain a major uncontrolled emission source.
A global review of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: Understanding their occurrence, fate and impact
AI summary Read the abstract
A global review of 121 wastewater treatment plants found that microplastics are consistently present in both influent and effluent, with WWTPs acting as major conduits delivering plastics into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. While removal efficiencies varied widely, the sludge produced by these plants represents a concentrated secondary pathway for microplastic release to land.
Review on the occurrence and fate of microplastics in Sewage Treatment Plants
AI summary Read the abstract
This review compiled occurrence and fate data for microplastics across influent, effluent, and sludge from sewage treatment plants, finding that concentrations range up to 3,160 particles/L in raw wastewater and that treatment achieves up to 98% removal, with the retained microplastics concentrated in sludge. The authors highlight that while WWTPs protect receiving waters, sludge disposal transfers the plastic burden to soils.
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.