We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Abundance and removal of microplastics in sewerage treatment plants: A case study of Ujung Menteng Flat House
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated microplastic characteristics and removal efficiency at the Ujung Menteng Flat House Sewerage Treatment Plant in Indonesia, sampling from influent, activated sludge, and effluent to assess how effectively existing wastewater infrastructure — not designed for microplastic removal — reduces contamination.
Abstract As emerging contaminants, microplastics can be transported by wastewater to treatment plants, where their numbers may decrease. Unfortunately, the existing wastewater treatment facilities in Indonesia are not designed to remove microplastics effectively. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of microplastics and evaluate the efficiency of microplastic removal at the Ujung Menteng Flat House Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP). Samples were collected at three locations within the STP: the influent, the activated sludge (aeration tank), and the effluent. These samples were analyzed using visual identification and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the laboratory. The results revealed that the abundance of microplastics was 946 particles per liter in the influent and 378 particles per liter in the effluent. The Ujung Menteng Flat House STP, utilizing an extended aeration system, achieved a microplastic removal rate of up to 60.97%. Fragment-shaped microplastics constituted the most significant proportion at 65%, followed by beads at 19%, fibers at 8%, films at 5%, and foams at 3%. The microplastics varied in size from 3 to 4541 micrometers, with black being the most frequently detected color. The polymer composition of the microplastic particles included silicone rubber, PVFM, PVB, PE, PVC, and HDPE.
More Papers Like This
Distribution of Microplastics in Domestic Wastewater and Microplastics Removal Potential in Wastewater Treatment Plants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the distribution of microplastics in domestic wastewater in Indonesia and assessed the microplastic removal potential of wastewater treatment plants, using digestion, vacuum filtration, and microscopy to identify microplastics by concentration, shape, size, and color across treatment stages.
Characteristics and removal of microplastics in urban domestic WWTP system: A case study in Bandung city, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
Four communal wastewater treatment plants in Bandung, Indonesia had high incoming microplastic concentrations averaging 537.5 particles/L, with fibers (52%) and particles 1,001–5,000 µm dominant, but showed partial removal efficiency during treatment.
Unveiling Microplastic Removal and Characteristics in Wastewater from Two Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
Two Indonesian municipal wastewater treatment plants — one advanced, one using simple ponds — both achieved roughly 90% microplastic removal, bringing influent concentrations of around 16 particles per liter down to about 1.5 particles per liter in treated effluent. Despite high removal rates, the remaining microplastics (predominantly PP, PE, PET, and polystyrene fibers and fragments) still discharge into receiving waters continuously, highlighting the need for improved treatment technologies to protect Indonesian aquatic ecosystems.
Removal of microplastics via wastewater treatment plants in india: Current knowledge and future directions: a review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined the capacity of wastewater treatment plants in India to remove microplastics, synthesizing current knowledge on removal efficiencies and identifying major knowledge gaps and future research priorities. While WWTPs remove a substantial fraction of incoming microplastics, effluents still discharge particles into receiving water bodies, and sludge represents a concentrated secondary contamination pathway.
Study of occurrence, abundance, and characterization of microplastics in wastewater treatment plant in New Delhi, India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers quantified microplastic prevalence in influent, treated effluent, and sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in New Delhi, finding that MPs are present throughout the treatment process and that the plant incompletely removes them, discharging MPs into receiving waters.
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.