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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their contributions to surface water and farmland pollution in China
ClearMicroplastics in sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plants in China
Researchers analyzed microplastics in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants across China, finding high concentrations of microplastics — predominantly fibers and fragments — raising concerns about their spread when sludge is applied to agricultural land.
The Pollution Characteristics and Fate of Microplastics in Typical Wastewater Treatment Systems in Northern China
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination at two wastewater treatment plants in Zhengzhou, China, finding overall removal efficiencies of about 93 and 96 percent respectively. Fibers and fragments were the most common microplastic shapes detected, with much of the removed material ending up concentrated in sewage sludge. The study raises concerns that while treatment processes are effective at reducing waterborne microplastics, the contaminated sludge may redistribute the pollution when applied to agricultural land.
Significant effects of rural wastewater treatment plants in reducing microplastic pollution: A perspective from China's southwest area
Researchers studied microplastic pollution at rural wastewater treatment plants in southwestern China and found influent concentrations of 3.8 to 8.2 particles per liter, with removal rates of only 14 to 55%. Based on national sewage discharge data, they estimated China's annual microplastic emissions through wastewater at nearly 3,000 tons, with rural areas contributing about 25%. The study highlights that rural wastewater systems, though often overlooked, represent a significant source of microplastic pollution entering waterways.
A global review of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: Understanding their occurrence, fate and impact
A global review of 121 wastewater treatment plants found that microplastics are consistently present in both influent and effluent, with WWTPs acting as major conduits delivering plastics into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. While removal efficiencies varied widely, the sludge produced by these plants represents a concentrated secondary pathway for microplastic release to land.
Microplastics in household fecal sewage treatment facilities of rural China
Researchers analyzed 65 fecal sewage samples from rural households across 27 Chinese provinces to characterize microplastic contamination in household treatment facilities. The study found microplastic abundances ranging from 47 to 143 particles per liter, with higher levels in northern China, and identified fecal sewage irrigation as a potential source of microplastic contamination in farmland soils.
Approaching the environmental problem of microplastics: Importance of WWTP treatments
This review examines the role of wastewater treatment plants as sources and sinks of microplastics, noting that while treatment removes significant quantities, remaining particles concentrate in sewage sludge which is then applied to agricultural land as fertilizer. The authors survey available technologies for improving microplastic removal and call for better policy to address this gap.
Occurrence, characteristics, and microbial community of microplastics in anaerobic sludge of wastewater treatment plants
Researchers studied microplastic contamination in anaerobic sludge from wastewater treatment plants in three different Chinese cities. They found microplastics in all samples at concentrations of 16.5 to 38.5 particles per gram, predominantly as fibers and polyethylene fragments, with distinct microbial communities colonizing the plastic surfaces. The study highlights that wastewater treatment plants act as point sources distributing microplastics into the environment through their sludge output.
Identification and quantification of microplastics in wastewater treatment plant effluent: Investigation of the fate and biological effects
This study identified and quantified microplastics in wastewater treatment plant effluents and sludge, finding particles in all samples with fibers being the dominant type. The research contributes to understanding how much microplastic reaches surface waters via wastewater discharge and how much is captured in sludge that is subsequently applied to agricultural land.
Are wastewater treatment plants as the source of microplastics in surface water and soil?
Researchers investigated the relationship between microplastic contamination in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and in nearby surface water and soil, finding that while WWTPs effectively remove most microplastics, they still contribute to surrounding environmental contamination.
Occurrence and Characteristics of Microplastics in a Wastewater Treatment Plant
Researchers sampled the inflow, outflow, and sludge of a Chinese wastewater treatment plant, finding up to 44 microplastic particles per liter in incoming water — mostly polyester fibers. The plant removed about 96% of microplastics, but the remaining fraction was still discharged into receiving waterways.
Investigation and fate of microplastics in wastewater and sludge filter cake from a wastewater treatment plant in China
A wastewater treatment plant in Harbin, China, removed about 76% of incoming microplastics, but the remainder accumulated in dewatered sludge used as agricultural fertilizer, representing billions of plastic particles returned to soils annually. Polyester and polyamide from laundry and personal care products were identified as the dominant polymer types.
[Microplastics in wastewater treatment: current status and future trends].
This review summarizes current research on microplastic occurrence, removal, and fate in wastewater treatment plants, noting that while plants capture most microplastics in activated sludge, significant numbers still escape into effluent. The sludge itself then becomes a major pathway for microplastics to enter agricultural soils when applied as fertilizer. Future treatment improvements and sludge management policies are needed to reduce these release pathways.
Potential sources and occurrence of macro-plastics and microplastics pollution in farmland soils: A typical case of China
This review examines plastic pollution in Chinese farmland soils, finding that agricultural practices like mulch film use and sewage sludge application are major sources of both macro- and microplastics that accumulate over time.
Tracing the fate of microplastic in wastewater treatment plant: A multi-stage analysis of treatment units and sludge
Researchers tracked microplastics through every stage of a wastewater treatment plant and found that while treatment removes many particles from the water, most end up concentrated in the leftover sludge. Fibers and fragments were the most common shapes, made primarily of polyester and polyethylene. Since treated sludge is often spread on farmland, this creates a pathway for microplastics to enter soil and potentially the food chain.
Wastewater treatment plant as microplastics release source – Quantification and identification techniques
This review examines wastewater treatment plants as sources of microplastic release into the environment, along with current methods for separating and identifying these particles. While conventional treatment plants remove over 90% of incoming microplastics, they remain major point sources due to the enormous volumes of effluent they discharge. The review also highlights that over 80% of microplastics entering treatment plants become trapped in sewage sludge, which when used as agricultural fertilizer represents a potential pathway for soil contamination.
Investigation of microplastics in sludge from five wastewater treatment plants in Nanjing, China
Microplastics were characterized in sludge from five wastewater treatment plants in Nanjing, China, with concentrations ranging widely across facilities and fibers as the dominant shape, highlighting sludge as a major reservoir and potential environmental release point for microplastic pollution.
Wastewater Treatment Plants as a Key Source of Secondary Microplastic in the Urban Environment
Researchers investigated the occurrence, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in sewage sludge from two wastewater treatment plants in Uttarakhand, India, finding that WWTPs act as a key source of secondary microplastic pollution in the urban environment as sludge concentrates particles removed during treatment.
Investigation of the microplastics profile in sludge from China’s largest Water reclamation plant using a feasible isolation device
This study developed a practical isolation device for extracting microplastics from sewage sludge using a fritted glass funnel and filtration apparatus, and applied it to sludge from Chinese wastewater treatment plants. The results revealed diverse microplastic types in sludge, with implications for land application of sludge as fertilizer.
A review of the removal of microplastics in global wastewater treatment plants: Characteristics and mechanisms
This review analyzed data from 38 wastewater treatment plants across 11 countries to understand how effectively they remove microplastics. While treatment plants can remove the majority of microplastics from wastewater, significant quantities still pass through into waterways, and the microplastics captured in sewage sludge may re-enter the environment when that sludge is applied to farmland.
Microplastic Pollution via Wastewater Effluent and Sewage Sludge: Special Focus on Microplastic Fibres in Compost
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in treated wastewater effluent and sewage sludge from treatment plants, finding that despite high MP removal rates, large daily discharge volumes still release substantial quantities of MPs into the environment. Sludge applied to agricultural land was identified as a major secondary MP pollution pathway.
Distribution of microplastics in the sludge of wastewater treatment plants in chengdu, China
Microplastics were found in sludge from all processing units at wastewater treatment plants in Chengdu, China, with the highest concentrations in thickened and dewatered sludge, indicating that sludge handling and land application represent a major pathway for microplastics to re-enter terrestrial environments.
Sewage sludge as a source of microplastics in the environment: A review of occurrence and fate during sludge treatment
This review assessed how wastewater treatment plants concentrate microplastics from influent into sludge, estimating that sewage sludge applied to agricultural land represents a major secondary pathway for MPs entering terrestrial ecosystems, with estimated releases of millions to billions of particles per hectare.
Effects of typical sludge treatment on microplastics in China—Characteristics, abundance and micro-morphological evidence
Different sludge treatment technologies used in China including anaerobic digestion, thermal drying, and composting were compared for their effects on microplastic characteristics and abundance, with results showing that treatment method significantly altered microplastic morphology but did not eliminate contamination. The study informs decisions about which treatment approaches best reduce microplastic transfer to soils when sludge is land-applied.
Fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their environmental dispersion with effluent and sludge
Researchers tracked microplastics through a wastewater treatment plant and found 12 different polymer types in effluents and sludge, with smaller particles (25–104 μm) most abundant and fibres displaying lower sizes than fragments. The study demonstrates that WWTPs do not fully remove microplastics and that processed sludge marketed as soil amendment carries plastic contamination.