We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Performance evaluation of MBR in treating microplastics polyvinylchloride contaminated polluted surface water
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for treating surface water spiked with polyvinylchloride microplastics at 10 particles/L, finding it achieved over 80% removal of organic matter and 95% ammonia removal, though microplastic addition initially inhibited performance before recovery within days. The study found that PVC microplastics increased irreversible membrane fouling, with the membrane module and bio-carrier adsorption being the main rejection mechanisms.
The microplastics removal and its effects on membrane fouling in membrane bioreactor (MBR) for treating polluted surface water in drinking purpose was investigated in this study. Typical microplastics polyvinylchloride (PVC) with concentration 10 particles/L was added in the feed water. MBR was effective in treating organic matters and ammonia with removal rate over 80% and 95%, respectively. The removal performance was immediately inhibited with the microplastics PVC added into the MBR system, and recovered after operated for few days. The membrane fouling and cleaning results indicated that microplastics contamination could led to higher membrane fouling, and also the irreversible membrane fouling. The main contributor of rejection is the membrane module and the adsorption onto bio-carrier. The microbial community of the system before and after PVC addition did not show obvious difference. MBR has the potential to be used as effective technology in treating microplastics contaminated polluted surface water.
More Papers Like This
Investigating the impact of PVC microplastics on membrane fouling behavior in MBR for enhanced wastewater treatment efficiency
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers added PVC microparticles to a membrane bioreactor treating simulated urban wastewater and found that the microplastics unexpectedly improved COD removal from 84.76% to 92.48% while reducing membrane fouling rates, though effects on sludge and microbial communities require further investigation.
Fouling behavior of nano/microplastics and COD, TOC, and TN removal in MBR: A comparative study
AI summary Read the abstract
This study tested a membrane bioreactor (MBR) — a combination of biological treatment and membrane filtration used in wastewater plants — for its ability to remove nano- and microplastics from wastewater. The system achieved 99.4% removal of organic pollutants and complete removal of nanoplastics, and found that more hydrophilic membranes were better at capturing microplastics. The study also examined how microplastics foul and clog membranes over time, which is a practical challenge for wastewater treatment operations. These results support MBRs as a promising technology for reducing microplastic discharges from treatment plants into waterways.
Effects of microplastics accumulation on performance of membrane bioreactor for wastewater treatment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers simulated the long-term accumulation of polypropylene microplastics in membrane bioreactors used for wastewater treatment. They found that while microplastic accumulation did not reduce the removal of key pollutants like COD and ammonia nitrogen, it did increase membrane fouling and alter the composition of microbial communities in the reactor. The study suggests that microplastic buildup in wastewater treatment systems may affect operational efficiency over time.
Removal of mixed micro/nanoplastics from synthetic wastewaters in MBR systems: Influence on process performance and microbial community
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers ran a long-term membrane bioreactor experiment with continuous mixed micro- and nanoplastic dosing and found the system maintained ~97% organic matter removal and removed 99.99% of particles, while accumulated plastics modestly shifted microbial community structure and reduced membrane fouling through a scouring effect.
Microplastic removal and fouling mitigation in a pilot-scale Living Membrane bioreactor for urban wastewater treatment
AI summary Read the abstract
A small-scale wastewater treatment system, tested over 60 days on real urban wastewater, removed most microplastic particles from the water: 94.5% of polyethylene and 84.4% of silicone-based particles. The system also removed most organic pollutants and ammonia, while running with low clogging of its filter, though removal of some nitrogen and phosphorus compounds was inconsistent.
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.