We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Mikroplast och reningsverk – en del av ett större miljöproblem
AI summary Read the abstract
This Swedish study reviews microplastics from an environmental perspective, examining their sources, transport through wastewater treatment plants, and environmental fate — highlighting the treatment plant as both a partial barrier and a potential pathway for microplastic discharge into aquatic environments.
Microplastics are found in many different environments and they constitute a growing environmental problem. Although the studies into the subject are numerous, there are still several gaps in understanding the nature of the problem. There has been an increasing focus on microplastics from environmental protection agency’s around the world to identify the sources and pathways for the pollution, and the Swedish EPA has in a recent report addressed the lack of data for doing more accurate models and estimations on the microplastic problem. A known source for microplastic pollution is waste water treatment plants (WWTPs), which have been shown to receive microplastics from sources such as roads and washing of clothes. However, the data on microplastics in relation to WWTPs are limited to a few pilot studies and that along with the growing concern around the problem motivates more studies on the subject. The purpose of this study was to investigate microplastics in one step of the water treatment process at a Swedish WWTP in Lund. Water samples were collected at two different locations close to the WWTP and analysed in lab by filtering and microscopy. The results show that microplastic fibers were present at both locations and that smaller fractions, 20-300 μm, were present in a much higher concentration than larger fractions, >300 μm. Furthermore, the results indicate that there was a difference in concentration between the locations, meaning that some microplastics might be removed between the locations. The study shows that microplastics are indeed present in the studied WWTP, in line with results from similar studies, and that it is a source of microplastics to its recipient. Since the WWTPs is just one part of the microplastic pathway, further studies must be carried out to get a complete picture of this environmental problem, from the initial sources like roads and washing of clothes to the places were microplastics end up such as sediments and the sea. (Less)
More Papers Like This
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.
Wastewater treatment plants as a source of microplastics to the environment.
AI summary Read the abstract
This study was the first to characterize the contribution of a wastewater treatment plant to microplastic pollution in a receiving water body, confirming that plants are significant sources of microplastics despite removing the majority of particles. The findings highlight the need to upgrade treatment processes or implement new technologies specifically targeting microplastic removal.
Screening of microplastic particles in and down-stream a wastewater treatment plant
AI summary Read the abstract
This Swedish environmental screening study examined microplastic inputs from a wastewater treatment plant in Lysekil to the sea, finding that significant numbers of particles above 300 micrometers were present in both influent and effluent. The study provides early national-level data on wastewater as a pathway for plastic to reach the marine environment.
Wastewater treatment plants as pathways of microlitter to the aquatic environment
AI summary Read the abstract
This thesis examines wastewater treatment plants as pathways for microlitter — including microplastics — to enter aquatic environments, measuring step-wise removal across treatment stages. While WWTPs remove a large proportion of incoming microplastics, even small residual concentrations in large daily effluent volumes represent a significant ongoing pollution input to waterways.
Do wastewater treatment plants act as a potential point source of microplastics? Preliminary study in the coastal Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
A study at a Finnish wastewater treatment plant found that although influent microplastic concentrations were high, treatment processes removed the vast majority — but a meaningful fraction still passed through in the effluent. The results confirm that even well-run treatment plants cannot fully prevent microplastic discharge to receiving water bodies.
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.