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Microplastic threat to aquatic ecosystems of the municipal wastewater treatment plant
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This review examined wastewater treatment plants as major sources of microplastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems, finding that effluents carrying cosmetic microbeads and synthetic clothing fibers represent a significant ongoing pathway for plastic particles to enter rivers and lakes.
Objective: The effluent of domestic waste water treatment plants are considered to be the greatest source of microplastics from cosmetic products and clothing fibers to the aquatic ecosystem. The aim of this study is to collect microplastic studies and to take a closer look at state of microplastic pollution. Methods: For this purpose, Studies on the effect of the point where the effluent from the waste water treatment plants are discharged, are determined. And the findings of these studies were put together. The compilation text included work done in the Americas, Europe, Australia and Asia. Results: In the result of five studies belonging to four different continent, it was determined that they were microplastic in waste water in high amounts. It has been determined that microplastics are high in samples of waste water which are included in the investigation. Classification according to the amount of microplastic is in the range of 0,2 microplastic/L to 25,8 microplastic/L and the most common plastic strain found was polyethylene. According to studies microplastics could be found in the water surface, near the surface and in the sediments. This reduces the chance of removing the environmental damage.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.