We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) as a Source of Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated wastewater treatment works as a source of microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that effluent discharges contribute measurable quantities of microplastics to receiving rivers despite treatment, with concentrations varying by treatment type.
Municipal effluent discharged from wastewater treatment works (WwTW) is suspected to be a significant contributor of microplastics (MP) to the environment as many personal care products contain plastic microbeads. A secondary WwTW (population equivalent 650 000) was sampled for microplastics at different stages of the treatment process to ascertain at what stage in the treatment process the MP are being removed. The influent contained on average 15.70 (±5.23) MP·L(-1). This was reduced to 0.25 (±0.04) MP·L(-1) in the final effluent, a decrease of 98.41%. Despite this large reduction we calculate that this WwTW is releasing 65 million microplastics into the receiving water every day. A significant proportion of the microplastic accumulated in and was removed during the grease removal stage (19.67 (±4.51) MP/2.5 g), it was only in the grease that the much publicised microbeads were found. This study shows that despite the efficient removal rates of MP achieved by this modern treatment plant when dealing with such a large volume of effluent even a modest amount of microplastics being released per liter of effluent could result in significant amounts of microplastics entering the environment. This is the first study to describe in detail the fate of microplastics during the wastewater treatment process.
More Papers Like This
Influence of wastewater treatment plant discharges on microplastic concentrations in surface water
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured microplastic concentrations upstream and downstream of wastewater treatment plant discharges in a freshwater river and found elevated concentrations below discharge points. The findings confirm that wastewater treatment plants, even when functioning properly, act as point sources of microplastic pollution to freshwater systems.
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.
Wastewater treatment plants as a source of microplastics in river catchments
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic concentrations were measured upstream and downstream of six wastewater treatment plants in different catchments, finding that all plants discharged microplastics but that concentrations in river water were influenced by factors beyond just WWTP effluent. The results suggest wastewater treatment plants are significant but not the only source of microplastics in river catchments.
Wastewater Discharge Transports Riverine Microplastics over Long Distances
AI summary Read the abstract
This study demonstrated that wastewater discharge transports riverine microplastics over long distances downstream, with treatment plant effluent contributing significantly to the total microplastic load in receiving rivers.
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.
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.