Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in wastewater treatment plant in a tropical region of China

Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are one of the main contributors to microplastics (MPs) in the environment. However, most of the current studies only reported the occurrence of MPs in WWTPs and rarely focused on the transfer and removal of MPs at each process unit. This work explores the MPs rem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of cleaner production Vol. 349; p. 131454
Main Authors Bao, Ruiqi, Wang, Zezheng, Qi, Huaiyuan, Mehmood, Tariq, Cai, Minggang, Zhang, Yumeng, Yang, Runlan, Peng, Licheng, Liu, Fengjiao
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 15.05.2022
Subjects
Microplastic
Removal efficiency
Seasonal variation
Tropical area
Wastewater treatment plant
Tropical area
Wastewater treatment plant
Microplastic
Removal efficiency
Seasonal variation
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Summary:Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are one of the main contributors to microplastics (MPs) in the environment. However, most of the current studies only reported the occurrence of MPs in WWTPs and rarely focused on the transfer and removal of MPs at each process unit. This work explores the MPs removal efficiency of a tropical urban WWTP during dry and rainy periods. The sewage and sludge samples were collected and analyzed to measure the MPs characteristics using a stereo-microscope and μ-FTIR techniques. Results showed the secondary treatment step eliminated most of the MPs, with an average concentration of 12.98 n/L in the effluent, indicating a 94.09% of total MPs removal rate. Throughout the sewage treatment stage, the most common MPs were black, small in size (25–380 mm), and identified as fibers. Moreover, the concentration of MPs in the effluent was higher in the rainy period compared to the dry period and some control strategies for MPs pollution in WWTPs are offered according to the results of this study. [Display omitted] •PET and PE had the highest abundance in wastewater and sludge, respectively.•MPs in sewage was reduced by 94.09% as average with wastewater treatment process.•Higher abundance of MPs was observed during the rainy season.•Massive accumulation of MPs in sludge may pose environmental risks.•Suitable treating measures for microplastics were suggested.
ISSN:0959-6526
1879-1786
DOI:10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131454