We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Municipal effluent as a potential source of microplastics in the aquatic environment
Summary
This review examined municipal wastewater treatment plants as potential sources of microplastics—including microbeads from personal care products and synthetic fibers from laundry—in aquatic environments. While modern treatment plants remove a significant fraction of microplastics, they may still discharge millions of particles per day and their capacity to remove the smallest particles is limited.
In developed countries municipal wastewater effluents are the largest single effluent discharges, by volume. These effluents contain a complex mixture of both traditional and novel contaminants. One of the most recent contaminants of emerging concern is microplastics (MP), small fragments of plastic (<5 mm diameter) used in cleaning (industrial and personal) (primary MP) or formed by the breakdown of larger plastic items (secondary MP). Their potential effect on aquatic animals is largely unknown. Municipal effluents from waste water treatment plants are suspected to be a significant contributor of MPs to the aquatic environment and are thought to contain microbeads from various personal care products and fibres realised from synthetic fabrics during washing. The ability of waste water treatment plants (WWTP) to remove these microplastics and prevent their exposure in the aquatic environment is therefore very important and as yet un-investigated. In this study influent and effluent was collected from several stages (primary, secondary and tertiary) during the treatment process from three large (each with PE >300,000) treatment plants along the river Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, representing the combined waste of over a million people. Samples are filtered and potential microplastics collected and positively identified using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Preliminary results indicate that 100 ml of influent from a single treatment plant resulted in 22 MP particles, mostly fibres of cellophane, nylon and a poly acrylonitrile/acrylate co-polymer. The results of this study will provide information on the efficacy of WWTPs in the removal of microplastics from waste water effluents.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Wastewater treatment plant effluent as a source of microplastics: review of the fate, chemical interactions and potential risks to aquatic organisms
This review examines wastewater treatment plant effluent as a source of microplastics entering aquatic environments. The study found that even though treatment plants remove most microplastics, the small amounts remaining in effluent may still contribute significantly to environmental contamination, and the chemical interactions between microplastics and other pollutants in wastewater raise additional ecological concerns.
A Survey of Microplastic Pollution from Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Within the Lake Champlain Basin
A survey of wastewater treatment plant effluent found that microplastics — primarily fibers from synthetic clothing — pass through treatment processes and are discharged to waterways. The study highlights treated wastewater as a major pathway for microfiber microplastics to enter rivers and coastal waters.
Wastewater as a potential source of microplastics in aquatic environments
This conference abstract reviews how wastewater and wastewater treatment plants are significant sources of microplastics — from cosmetic microbeads and synthetic textile fibers — entering the environment. It highlights that even treated wastewater effluent and sewage sludge spread onto farmland continue to release microplastics.
Microfibers from synthetic textiles as a major source of microplastics in the environment: A review
This review examines how synthetic textile garments release thousands of microplastic fibers during each wash cycle, making laundry a major source of microplastic pollution. Even though wastewater treatment plants capture most fibers, billions still escape into waterways each day because the incoming volume is so enormous. These fibers end up in rivers, oceans, and soil, where they can be consumed by aquatic life and eventually reach humans through the food chain.
A Review of the Origins of Microplastics arriving at Wastewater Treatment Plants
This review synthesizes the origins of microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants, examining contributions from household sources, industrial and commercial discharges, and urban surface runoff conveyed through sewerage systems. The authors identify the diversity of microplastic sources reaching treatment facilities as a key challenge for effective removal, with implications for downstream aquatic pollution from treated effluent.