We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Towards microplastics contribution for membrane biofouling and disinfection by-products precursors: The effect on microbes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microplastics in raw water increased microbial growth and altered community composition during ultrafiltration, promoting extracellular polymer production that accelerated membrane fouling and elevated disinfection by-product formation in treated water.
Public awareness of plastic pollution and its impact on the ecosystem has increased rapidly. The microplastics in raw waters and their removal during drinking water treatment is receiving growing attention, but the impact on the efficiency of ultrafiltration has not been examined previously, especially in regard to the formation potential of disinfection by-products (DBPs-FP) in effluent water. In this study, two bench-scale continuous-flow ultrafiltration systems, with and without microplastics, were operated to examine the effect of microplastics on ultrafiltration. Results showed that the microplastics not only increased microbial growth, but also affected the microbial community (e.g. families Xanthobacteraceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Leptolyngbyaceae), which can promote the production of extracellular polymeric substances and nitrogen fixation, causing rapid membrane fouling. The formation potential of THM (TCM and BDCM) and N-DBP (TCNM) species in UF permeate increased with the presence of microplastics, due to changes in water quality. Statistical analysis indicated that tyrosine-like components (C3), ammonium (NH-N) and tryptophan-like component (C1) can be used as indicators of the DBPs-FP. This study provides new insights into the relationship between microplastics, membrane biofouling and DBPs-FP, and the potential adverse impact of microplastics on drinking water treatment.
More Papers Like This
[Effects of Microplastics on Membrane Fouling During a Shortened Ultrafiltration Membrane Process].
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how microplastics in freshwater affect membrane fouling during ultrafiltration — a common drinking water treatment step — finding that their presence can compromise filter performance and potentially allows microplastics to pass into treated water supplies.
Fate and Behavior of Microplastics in Ultrafiltration Membrane Systems for Water Treatment: Fouling, Releasing, and Organic Leaching
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the fate and behavior of microplastics in ultrafiltration membrane systems used for water treatment, examining three key phenomena: membrane fouling caused by microplastic deposition, release of microplastics through membrane failure or bypass, and leaching of organic additives from microplastics. The work provides mechanistic understanding of how microplastics interact with ultrafiltration systems in drinking water treatment contexts.
Recent advances on micro/nanoplastic pollution and membrane fouling during water treatment: A review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed recent advances in understanding how micro- and nanoplastics contribute to membrane fouling during water treatment processes. The study found that while membrane separation effectively removes microplastics from wastewater effluent, fouling caused by plastic particles along with dissolved organics and extracellular polymers remains a key obstacle, and understanding the fouling mechanisms is critical for improving treatment efficiency.
Microplastics-bacteria interfacial interactions undermine disinfection performance in drinking water systems
AI summary
This study characterized plastic pollution in the Karnaphuli River of Bangladesh, documenting microplastic abundance and composition in water and sediment samples from an industrially impacted river system. The findings reveal heavy contamination from textile and industrial discharge, reflecting Bangladesh's plastic waste management challenges.
Insight into the dynamic transformation properties of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter and its contribution to the formation of chlorination disinfection by-products
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how dissolved organic matter released from microplastics transforms under UV light and how it contributes to the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts during water chlorination. They found that UV exposure changed the chemical composition of the microplastic-derived organic matter, affecting its reactivity during disinfection. The findings suggest that microplastics in water sources may indirectly increase the formation of potentially harmful chemicals during standard water treatment.
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.