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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Occurrence, identification, and discharge of microplastics from effluent and sludge of the largest WWTP in Iran—South of Tehran
ClearEvaluation of pollution caused by microplastics particles in municipal wastewater and sewage sludge (Case study: Al-Ghadir town, Kerman)
Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in municipal wastewater and sewage sludge at a treatment plant in Kerman, Iran, collecting 36 paired wastewater and sediment samples monthly at approximately 30 liters per sample. The study characterized microplastic frequency, morphology, and composition across influent and effluent streams, identifying the plant as a significant microplastic discharge point.
Abundance, characteristics, fate, and removal of microplastics during municipal wastewater treatment plant in the west of Iran: the case of Kermanshah city
A three-month study of a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant in Kermanshah, Iran found that while the facility removed about 64% of incoming microplastics, large quantities still passed through into the effluent — making the plant a net source of microplastic pollution to the aquatic environment. Fibers dominated incoming samples while fragments were more prevalent in the treated effluent, and polyethylene was the most common polymer detected throughout.
Occurrence of microplastics in influent, sewage sludge and effluent of municipal wastewater treatment plant, A case study center of Iran, Qom city
A study of a municipal wastewater treatment plant found microplastics in the influent, sewage sludge, and effluent, confirming that treatment processes do not fully remove plastic particles before water is discharged. This matters because treated wastewater and sludge applied to agricultural land are significant pathways through which microplastics enter rivers, soils, and ultimately the food supply.
Occurrence and removal of microplastics in a municipal wastewater treatment plant with conventional activated sludge process: A case study in Isfahan, Iran
A case study of a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Isfahan, Iran found that conventional activated sludge processes removed over 80% of incoming microplastics but that effluent still contained significant particle numbers, confirming that even high-efficiency plants are a route for microplastics entering the environment.
Distribution and abundance of microplastics in urban and industrial wastewater treatment plants in Tabriz metropolis
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in two urban and five industrial wastewater treatment plants in Tabriz, Iran, a city of 1.6 million people. Urban treatment plants removed less than 10% of microplastics, while industrial plants showed somewhat better removal rates. The study found that existing wastewater treatment infrastructure is largely ineffective at filtering out microplastics, meaning significant quantities are being released into surface waters.
Study of occurrence, abundance, and characterization of microplastics in wastewater treatment plant in New Delhi, India
Researchers quantified microplastic prevalence in influent, treated effluent, and sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in New Delhi, finding that MPs are present throughout the treatment process and that the plant incompletely removes them, discharging MPs into receiving waters.
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.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent: a case study of Guangzhou, China
This study quantified microplastics in the effluent of a large wastewater treatment plant in Guangzhou, China, finding that the plant releases hundreds of millions of microplastic particles per day despite removing most particles during treatment. Even highly efficient wastewater treatment plants are a significant ongoing source of microplastics entering rivers and coastal waters.
Transport and fate of microplastic particles in wastewater treatment plants
Researchers tracked microplastic particles through multiple stages of a wastewater treatment plant, finding that particles were concentrated in sludge but that a fraction passed through each treatment stage and remained in the final effluent.
Identification, Quantification, and Evaluation of Microplastics Removal Efficiency in a Water Treatment Plant (A Case Study in Iran)
Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence and removal efficiency across treatment stages of a drinking water treatment plant in Iran, finding an influent concentration of 1597.7 MPs/L with an overall removal efficiency of 83.7%, yet still discharging an estimated 2.25 x 10^11 MPs daily into the distribution system, with PP, PE, and PET as the dominant polymers.
An evaluation of microplastics fate in the wastewater treatment plants: frequency and removal of microplastics by microfiltration membrane
This study assessed microplastic removal efficiency at a wastewater treatment plant in Iran and tested microfiltration membrane performance, finding that the membrane significantly improved microplastic removal beyond conventional treatment steps.
Wastewater treatment plants as a pathway for microplastics: Development of a new approach to sample wastewater-based microplastics
Researchers developed a new sampling and monitoring protocol for microplastics at wastewater treatment plants, enabling more consistent tracking of microplastic loads through treatment stages and discharged effluent.
Identification of microplastics in conventional drinking water treatment plants in Tehran, Iran
Researchers identified microplastics in three conventional drinking water treatment plants in Tehran, Iran, finding that standard treatment processes do not fully eliminate particles down to 1 micron in size, raising concerns about microplastic exposure through tap water.
Occurrence, characteristics, and removal of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants located on the Moroccan Atlantic: The case of Agadir metropolis
Researchers studied microplastic occurrence and removal in two wastewater treatment plants in Agadir, Morocco, finding that while treatment processes removed significant proportions of microplastics, effluents still released substantial quantities into the Atlantic Ocean.
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.
Microplastics in industrial wastewater treatment plant: Quantification, identification and ecological risk assessment
Researchers quantified microplastics in an industrial wastewater treatment plant in Thailand across wet and dry seasons, finding the highest concentrations after the aeration treatment stage. The study demonstrates that industrial wastewater treatment is an important but undermonitored pathway for microplastics entering aquatic environments.
Microplastic Abundance and Distribution in a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bangladesh
Researchers investigated the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the Pagla Sewage Water Treatment Plant in Bangladesh, examining influent, effluent, and sludge to assess the facility as a potential source of microplastic pollution across multiple environmental compartments. The study found microplastics present throughout the treatment process, highlighting wastewater treatment plants as under-studied vectors of microplastic dispersal.
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.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants in mega cities–the case study of Chengdu City
Researchers studied microplastic distribution and removal across wastewater treatment plant processes in China, finding that WWTPs intercept large quantities of MPs before discharge but that residual concentrations in effluent still represent a significant pathway for environmental MP release.
Distribution and occurrence of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in three industrial wastewater treatment plants in Vietnam, finding average removal efficiencies of only 21-26%, with billions of microplastic particles discharged daily into receiving waters from the largest plant.
Influence of wastewater treatment process on pollution characteristics and fate of microplastics
Researchers investigated microplastic abundance and removal efficiency across four wastewater treatment plants using different treatment technologies, finding influent concentrations between 539 and 1,290 particles per liter that were reduced substantially by primary and secondary treatment. Smaller microplastic particles proved hardest to remove and most likely to persist in final effluent.
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.
Research progress on microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: A holistic review
This review provides a holistic assessment of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, covering sampling methods, occurrence patterns across treatment stages, removal efficiencies, and the environmental risks posed by microplastic discharge through effluent and sludge.
Microplastics in an industrial zone wastewater treatment plant: Characterization, fate, and risk assessment
Most studies on microplastics in wastewater treatment plants focus on municipal sewage, but this study examined an industrial-zone treatment plant serving textile, plastics recycling, and furniture sectors in Turkey. Microplastics were found throughout the system, with sludge containing the highest concentrations (3,734 particles/L), and even after treatment, nearly 1.5 billion microplastic particles were discharged into a river each day — a river that feeds agricultural irrigation. The findings show that conventional wastewater treatment is insufficient for industrial effluents, and that tertiary filtration is needed to prevent significant plastic contamination of soils and waterways.