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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Medium-Low Temperature Conditions Induce the Formation of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals in Microplastics with Conjugated Aromatic-Ring Structures during Sewage Sludge Pyrolysis
ClearFate of microplastic during pyrolysis of sewage sludge
Researchers examined how pyrolysis as a sewage sludge treatment method affects the fate of embedded microplastics, finding that thermal treatment largely destroys plastic particles. However, some polymer-derived volatile compounds transferred to pyrolysis gases and oils, suggesting that microplastic destruction does not eliminate all associated chemical risks.
Fate of microplastic during pyrolysis of sewage sludge
Researchers investigated what happens to microplastics embedded in sewage sludge when sludge is treated by pyrolysis, a high-temperature thermochemical process. Pyrolysis effectively destroyed most microplastic particles, but some residual polymer-derived compounds partitioned into the pyrolysis products.
Microplastics Mitigation in Sewage Sludge through Pyrolysis: The Role of Pyrolysis Temperature
The effect of pyrolysis on reducing microplastic content in sewage sludge was investigated in a lab-scale study evaluating multiple pyrolysis temperature conditions. Pyrolysis effectively degraded microplastic particles in sludge, with higher temperatures achieving greater microplastic reduction, positioning pyrolysis as a viable treatment for managing microplastic-laden organic waste.
Pyrolysis behavior of sewage sludge coexisted with microplastics: Kinetics, mechanism, and product characteristics
Researchers investigated the co-pyrolysis behavior of sewage sludge mixed with polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics. They found that the presence of microplastics improved the overall pyrolysis performance and altered the composition of the resulting bio-oil and gas products. The study suggests that understanding how microplastics in sewage sludge affect thermal treatment could help optimize waste processing at wastewater treatment plants.
Changes in physicochemical and leachate characteristics of microplastics during hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge
Researchers examined hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge containing microplastics and found that while the process degraded polyethylene, polystyrene, and PET to varying degrees, it also generated potentially harmful leachates, highlighting trade-offs in this treatment approach.
Free radicals accelerate in situ ageing of microplastics during sludge composting
Researchers discovered that free radicals generated during sludge composting, including persistent free radicals and reactive oxygen species, significantly accelerate the aging and degradation of microplastics, revealing an overlooked abiotic transformation pathway.
Microplastic Degradation through Thermal Hydrolysis in Sewage Sludge and Its Impact on the Anaerobic Process
Researchers found that thermal hydrolysis pretreatment of sewage sludge reduced microplastic concentrations from 206 particles/g to lower levels, with approximately 54% of microplastics initially in solid phase, and examined the implications for sludge management and microplastic fate.
How microplastics affect sludge pyrolysis behavior: Thermogravimetry-mass spectrum analysis and biochar characteristics
Microplastics in sewage sludge alter how the sludge burns during pyrolysis: PVC microplastics sped up decomposition while polyethylene and polypropylene slowed it down. This matters because sewage sludge from wastewater plants contains thousands of microplastic particles per kilogram, and understanding how they change the energy recovery and byproduct quality of sludge treatment helps improve the management of this widespread microplastic sink.
MicroplasticDegradation through Thermal Hydrolysisin Sewage Sludge and Its Impact on the Anaerobic Process
Researchers investigated the fate of microplastics in sewage sludge during thermal hydrolysis pretreatment and found that temperatures of 140-180°C significantly degraded microplastics while also affecting subsequent anaerobic biogas production from the treated sludge.
Pyrolysis-induced migration and transformation of heavy metals in sewage sludge containing microplastics
Researchers studied how the presence of PVC and PET microplastics affects the behavior of heavy metals during sewage sludge pyrolysis. They found that microplastic addition influenced the migration and chemical transformation of metals like chromium, copper, and zinc during heating, with effects varying by plastic type and concentration. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in sewage sludge should be considered when designing pyrolysis processes for sludge recycling.
Amplifiers of environmental risk of microplastics in sewage sludge: Thermal drying treatment
Researchers found that thermal drying of sewage sludge increased microplastic abundance by approximately 10-fold compared to undried sludge, with enhanced fragmentation into smaller particles. This finding identifies thermal drying as a treatment process that amplifies rather than reduces the environmental risk of microplastics in sludge.
Molecular properties and biotoxicity of dissolved organic matter leached from microplastic (MP-DOM) during typical hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge
Researchers investigated the dissolved organic matter that leaches from microplastics during sewage sludge treatment processes like thermal hydrolysis. Different plastic types released chemically distinct compounds, some of which showed toxicity to aquatic organisms. The findings highlight that microplastics are not just physical pollutants but also release harmful chemical byproducts during waste treatment.
Co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and metal-free/metal-loaded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics improved biochar properties and reduced environmental risk of heavy metals
Sewage sludge was co-pyrolyzed with metal-laden and metal-free PVC microplastics, producing biochars with improved properties and reduced environmental risk from heavy metals compared to pyrolyzing sludge alone. The study demonstrates co-pyrolysis as a strategy to address both plastic and heavy metal pollution in sludge treatment processes.
Molecular characteristics and biological effects of dissolved organic matter leached from microplastics during sludge hydrothermal treatment
Researchers analyzed the dissolved organic matter that leaches from microplastics during sludge hydrothermal treatment, a common waste processing method. The study found that higher treatment temperatures produced more complex and diverse chemical mixtures from the microplastics, some of which showed toxic effects on plants and aquatic organisms. The results highlight a previously overlooked source of chemical pollution from microplastic-containing waste.
Effects of excess sludge composting process, environmentally persistent free radicals, and microplastics on antibiotics degradation efficiency of aging biochar
Researchers examined how microplastics (specifically polystyrene) added to sewage sludge affect a biochar's long-term ability to degrade antibiotics in compost environments. After composting, the antibiotic-degrading efficiency of biochar decreased — and decreased more when polystyrene microplastics were present — primarily because composting reduced the reactive free radicals that drive antibiotic breakdown. This matters because biochar is increasingly proposed as a tool for removing antibiotic contaminants from waste streams, and microplastic co-contamination of sludge could undermine this function over time.
Simultaneous degradation of microplastics and sludge during wet air oxidation
This study showed that wet air oxidation (WAO) — a high-temperature, high-pressure sludge treatment — can simultaneously break down polyethylene, polystyrene, and PET microplastics along with the sewage sludge they contaminate. All three plastic types were degraded without leaving detectable solid plastic residues, with acetic acid as the primary breakdown product. This is significant because conventional wastewater treatment cannot destroy microplastics, so WAO represents a promising upgrade for eliminating a major environmental release pathway.
Unraveling Co-Pyrolysis Mechanisms for Municipal Sludge and Microplastics: Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and Product Insights
Wastewater treatment plants produce large quantities of sewage sludge, which is often contaminated with microplastics from household and industrial sources. This study tested whether co-pyrolyzing sludge with polyethylene (HDPE) or PET plastic waste at high temperatures could improve energy recovery while processing microplastics. Adding 30% HDPE maximized the overall pyrolysis efficiency and changed the chemical reaction pathways, while PET had stronger facilitating effects at mid-range temperatures. The research suggests that co-pyrolysis could serve the dual purpose of sludge disposal and microplastic destruction, though the altered reaction kinetics and product mixtures require careful management.
Microplastics in sewage sludge destined to anaerobic digestion: The potential role of thermal pretreatment
Researchers found that thermal pretreatment of sewage sludge at 120°C did not degrade conventional PET microplastics but did alter biodegradable microplastics, which also boosted methane production during anaerobic digestion, raising concerns about how different microplastic types behave in sludge treatment.
Efficient Depolymerization and Low-Toxicity Leaching of Polyester Microplastics through Alkali-Hydrothermal Treatment of Sewage Sludge
Researchers developed an alkali-hydrothermal treatment method that degraded 82% of PET microplastics trapped in sewage sludge, converting them into low-toxicity dissolved organic matter. The approach works by leveraging alkalinity, metal ions, and organic matter naturally present in sludge to break down plastic through hydrolysis and radical oxidation, offering a practical strategy for reducing microplastic contamination before sludge is applied to agricultural land.
The interaction between sludge and microplastics during thermal hydrolysis of sludge
Researchers studied how polyethylene and PET microplastics behave during thermal hydrolysis of municipal sludge at temperatures between 120 and 180 degrees Celsius. They found a mutual promotion relationship where sludge degradation accelerated microplastic aging, while the microplastics enhanced the breakdown of organic compounds in the sludge. The study suggests that thermal hydrolysis of sludge shows promise for simultaneously treating both sludge and microplastic contamination.
Characteristics and aging of microplastics in waste activated sludge under persulfate and hydrothermal co-treatment: Impact of solid content and temperature
Researchers investigated how persulfate-assisted hydrothermal treatment of waste activated sludge affects microplastic behavior, finding that at higher temperatures the treatment causes sludge floc disruption and melting deformation of plastic particles. Solid content and temperature significantly influenced microplastic migration and aging outcomes.
Sulfur-Containing Persistent Free Radicals and Reactive Species on Photoaged Microplastics: Identification and the Formation Mechanism
Researchers identified sulfur-containing persistent free radicals and reactive species on photoaged microplastics for the first time, revealing that sulfur in the polymer composition promotes radical formation during UV aging with implications for environmental toxicity.
Tracking nonregulated micropollutants in sewage sludge: Antimicrobials, OH-PAHs, and microplastics — Environmental risks, fertilizer implications and energy considerations
Researchers tracked antimicrobials, hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and microplastics in sewage sludge and fertilizers derived from it. The study found that while fertilizer production reduced some contaminants, significant levels of antimicrobials and an average of over 2,400 microplastic particles persisted in stabilized sludge, raising concerns about environmental contamination when these materials are applied to agricultural land.
Microplastics as emerging contaminants in textile dyeing sludge: Their impacts on co-combustion/pyrolysis products, residual metals, and temperature dependency of emissions
Researchers studied how microplastics in textile dyeing sludge affect the pollutants released when the sludge is burned or heated for disposal. The presence of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics increased the release of harmful gases and changed how toxic metals behaved during combustion. This means that microplastic-contaminated industrial waste can generate additional air pollution when disposed of through burning, adding to the pollutants people breathe.