We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Fate of disposable face masks in high-solids anaerobic digestion: Experimental observations and review of potential environmental implications
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the fate of disposable face masks in high-solids anaerobic digestion, finding that masks remained largely intact and released microplastic particles during the digestion process, raising environmental concerns about COVID-19 PPE waste in municipal solid waste streams.
Face masks became a part of our daily life amid the global COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Most of the face masks are made for single-use and primarily disposed of in garbage bins with other non-recyclable wastes. To date, little is known about how disposable face masks in municipal solid waste (MSW) would interfere with high-solids anaerobic digestion (HSAD) in waste management facilities. Here, we first report preliminary results from a lab experiment conducted with the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) amended with used disposable face masks. The lab-scale HSAD systems were operated with percolate recirculation comparable to commercial HSAD systems typically used for full-scale processing of OFMSW. The results suggested that the presence of face masks in OFMSW could negatively affect methane productivity and kinetics. In the digesters amended with face masks, total cumulative methane production decreased by up to 18%, along with a 12-29% decrease in maximum methane production rates than the control digester (without face masks). Moreover, lag phases increased by 7-14%. The results also suggested that the type of polymeric materials used in face masks would be more critical than their total number/loading in the digester, which warrants further investigation. The visual inspection of digestate showed that the face masks were mostly undegraded after 40 days of operation. Much remains unknown about how the undegraded face masks will affect the digestate management practices, such as composting, land application, and landfilling. However, the review of existing literature suggested that they can be a potential source of plastic and microplastic pollution and amplify transmission of antibiotic resistance genes to the ecosystem. In summary, this study underscores the importance of developing safe and reliable disposal guidelines and management plans for single-use face masks.
More Papers Like This
Potential Microplastic Threat: Environmental Assessment of The Face Mask Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the environmental threat posed by face masks discarded during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that masks contain polypropylene fibers that can fragment into microplastics and persist in the environment. The study calls for better mask disposal strategies and environmental monitoring to track mask-derived microplastic pollution.
Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in Anaerobic Digestion of Dewatered Sludge
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microplastics introduced during wastewater treatment are transferred into sewage sludge and survive the anaerobic digestion process, meaning they remain present when sludge is applied to agricultural land. This pathway represents a significant and underappreciated route for microplastic pollution to enter terrestrial ecosystems.
Environmental Hazard of Polypropylene from Disposable Face Masks Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Possible Mitigation Techniques through a Green Approach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the biodegradation of disposable face masks made from polypropylene using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and found partial degradation was achievable, highlighting both the environmental hazard of pandemic-era PPE waste and potential microbial remediation strategies.
COVID-19 Face Masks as a Long-Term Source of Microplastics in Recycled Urban Green Waste
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that COVID-19 face masks disposed of in urban green waste streams persist through composting and release synthetic microfibers and fragments into compost products, making them a long-term source of microplastic contamination in recycled organic material applied to soils.
Microbial Degradation of Synthetic Plastics Released from COVID-19 Generated Single Use Disposable Face Masks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microbial degradation of synthetic plastics from COVID-19 single-use face masks, finding that pandemic-driven surges in disposable mask use added significant plastic burdens to agricultural soils, with implications for soil microbiota and ecosystem health.
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.