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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Distribution of microplastics in the sludge of wastewater treatment plants in chengdu, China
ClearInvestigation 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.
Microplastics 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.
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.
Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their contributions to surface water and farmland pollution in China
Researchers examined microplastic abundance in sewage and sludge at Shenzhen wastewater treatment plants, estimating that annual microplastic loading from WWTPs to surface water and farmland soil across China is substantial. WWTPs concentrate microplastics in sludge, which then becomes a major pathway for plastic contamination of agricultural land when applied as fertilizer.
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.
Characteristics and removal efficiency of microplastics in sewage treatment plant of Xi'an City, northwest China
Researchers systematically tracked microplastic transport, characteristics, and removal through both the sewage and sludge treatment streams of a Chinese wastewater treatment plant. The study found that while most microplastics were removed from effluent, substantial quantities accumulated in sludge.
Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A Known but Underrated Pathway in Wastewater Treatment Plants
This review finds that wastewater treatment plants effectively transfer microplastics from effluent into sewage sludge, creating a significant but underrated pathway for MP contamination when sludge is applied to agricultural soils.
Microplastics in sewage sludge: Distribution, toxicity, identification methods, and engineered technologies
This review examines how microplastics accumulate in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants, which then becomes a major pathway for spreading these particles into the environment. Researchers found that sludge can contain extremely high concentrations of microplastics, ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of particles per kilogram. The study evaluates current detection methods and emerging technologies for removing microplastics from sludge before it is applied to agricultural land or disposed of.
Characterization and removal of microplastics in a sewage treatment plant from urban Nagpur, India
Researchers detected microplastics in all stages of a sewage treatment plant in Nagpur, India, finding that the treatment process reduced but did not eliminate microplastics from effluent. Sludge accumulated high concentrations of microplastics, raising concerns about land application of treated sludge.
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.
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.
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.
Abundance of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Sludge
This review found that wastewater treatment plants trap a substantial proportion of incoming microplastics into sludge, with abundance varying widely by region based on population density, urbanization, and treatment technology, raising concerns about the land application of microplastic-laden biosolids.
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.
[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.
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.
Behavior and flow of microplastics during sludge treatment in Japan
Sampling of two Osaka wastewater treatment plants found microplastics at every stage of the sludge treatment process, with 13 polymer types identified; concentration increased through dewatering, but the total MP load in final biosolids was lower than in raw sludge.
Variation in microplastic concentration, characteristics and distribution in sewage sludge & biosolids around the world
Researchers systematically reviewed 65 studies on microplastics in sewage sludge and biosolids from wastewater treatment plants around the world. They found that while treatment processes remove 57% to 99% of microplastics from wastewater, the removed particles concentrate in sludge that is often applied to agricultural land. The review highlights that land application of biosolids may be a significant, underappreciated pathway for microplastic pollution in soils.
Variation in microplastic concentration, characteristics and distribution in sewage sludge & biosolids around the world
This review synthesizes global data on microplastic concentrations, characteristics, and distribution in sewage sludge and biosolids, drawing on studies showing wastewater treatment works remove 57-99% of incoming microplastics, concentrating them in sludge byproducts. The review highlights the significance of this concentration pathway and what happens to these microplastics when sludge is applied to land or otherwise managed.
Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A review
This review examines the presence and fate of microplastics in sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants, a topic that has received less attention than microplastics in the water treatment line. The study highlights that agricultural application of sewage sludge is a primary source of microplastic contamination in soils, and provides a comprehensive overview of detection methods, concentrations, and the environmental implications of sludge-borne microplastics.
Microplastics removal from a primary settler tank in a wastewater treatment plant and estimations of contamination onto European agricultural land via sewage sludge recycling
Researchers found that primary settling in wastewater treatment removes significant microplastics from sewage, but these particles concentrate in sludge that is often recycled onto agricultural land, creating a pathway back into the environment.
Assessment and accumulation of microplastics in sewage sludge at wastewater treatment plants located in Cádiz, Spain
Researchers sampled microplastics from primary, secondary, and digested sludge at seven wastewater treatment plants in southern Spain, finding sludge acts as a significant sink for microplastics. Fragments and fibers under 2 mm were dominant, and concentrations varied significantly between urban and industrial plant types.
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.