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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plants in China
ClearMicroplastics 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.
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.
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.
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.
Stabilized Sewage Sludge as Fertilizer: Risks Related to the Presence of Microplastics
Researchers analyzed microplastic content in sewage sludge-derived fertilizer collected in June and July, finding an average of ~460 mg of microplastics per 100 g of fertilizer with fragments and fibers predominating — raising concerns about agricultural land contamination from sewage sludge application.
A method for the characterisation of microplastics in sludge
Researchers developed a method for detecting and characterizing microplastics in sewage sludge, which concentrates the majority of microplastics removed during wastewater treatment. This method is important because sludge is widely spread on agricultural land, making it a key pathway for microplastics entering soils.
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 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.
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.
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: 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.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastic in sewage sludge: A case study of Yangling, Shaanxi province, China
Researchers analyzed microplastics in sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in Shaanxi, China, finding that 97% of particles were smaller than 400 micrometers, with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) making up the largest share — a particularly concerning finding given PVC's higher toxicity risk index. The study underscores how sewage sludge acts as a major accumulation point for microplastics, concentrating pollution that can then spread when sludge is applied to farmland.
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.
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.
Sewage sludge application as a vehicle for microplastics in eastern Spanish agricultural soils
Scientists measured microplastics in sewage sludge from Spanish wastewater treatment plants and in agricultural soils receiving sludge applications, finding that sludge application transferred hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles per kilogram into agricultural soil.
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.
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.
Mapping microplastics in sludge
Researchers mapped microplastic contamination in sewage sludge from eight Norwegian wastewater treatment plants, finding plastics in all ten samples with an overall average of 6,077 particles per kilogram dry weight. Based on current sludge application rates in Norway, researchers estimated that over 500 billion microplastic particles enter the environment annually through agricultural and land application of sewage sludge.
Hidden contaminants: Unveiling the content of microplastics in municipal sewage sludge that may affect soil ecosystems
Researchers analyzed sewage sludge from two municipal treatment plants and found up to 116,000 microplastic particles per kilogram of dry sludge, with fiber-shaped and film-shaped particles dominating each plant respectively — highlighting the risk of spreading microplastic contamination to farmland when sludge is used as fertilizer.
Microplastic contamination in sewage sludge: Abundance, characteristics, and impacts on the environment and human health
This review focuses on microplastics found in sewage sludge, which is often spread on agricultural land as fertilizer. The practice introduces microplastics directly into farm soil, where they can be taken up by crops or leach into groundwater. This creates a pathway for microplastics to reach human food and drinking water, raising concerns about the safety of using sewage sludge in agriculture.
Investigation and analysis of microplastics in sewage sludge and biosolids: A case study from one wastewater treatment works in the UK
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in sewage sludge and biosolids at a UK wastewater treatment plant and found significant quantities of microplastics persisting through the treatment process. Since millions of tonnes of biosolids are applied to farmland annually in the UK, this represents a major pathway for microplastic pollution entering agricultural soils. The study highlights the need for better monitoring and treatment methods to reduce microplastic transfer from wastewater to the terrestrial environment.
Assessing emerging and priority micropollutants in sewage sludge: environmental insights and analytical approaches
Researchers reviewed the presence of emerging pollutants, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals, in sewage sludge that is commonly applied to agricultural land. They found that current analytical methods are improving but still face challenges in detecting these contaminants at low concentrations in complex sludge samples. The study highlights the environmental risks of spreading pollutant-laden sludge on farmland and calls for better monitoring standards.
Agricultural application of microplastic-rich sewage sludge leads to further uncontrolled contamination
Researchers found that 44% of microplastics from sewage sludge applied to agricultural land migrated to nearby untreated areas, demonstrating that this common fertilizer practice leads to further uncontrolled contamination of surrounding soils.
Establishment and application of standard analysis methods for microplastic samples: Urban sewage and sewage sludge as a source of microplastics in the environment
Researchers developed a standardized method for measuring microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and found that treated wastewater still releases an estimated 14.2 billion microplastic particles per day into the environment. While treatment plants remove most microplastics from the water, many end up concentrated in sewage sludge, which is often spread on farmland. The findings highlight that wastewater treatment is a major pathway for microplastics to reach rivers and agricultural soil.