Contamination and removal efficiency of microplastics and synthetic fibres in a conventional drinking water treatment plant in Geneva, Switzerland

Velasco, Ángel; Gentile, Stéphan Ramseier; Zimmermann, Stéphane; Coustumer, Philippe Le; Stoll, Serge

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163270

Cited by 17 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…A quarter of the filter surface was analysed following the model used in Negrete Velasco et al ( 2023 ) due to the time-consuming analysis. All microparticles were carefully observed and tested by FTIR, excepted when identified as mineral microparticles or microorganisms.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of a nanofiltration system on microplastic contamination in Geneva groundwater (Switzerland)

Negrete Velasco,

Ellero,

Ramseier Gentile

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Microplastics (MPs) have been observed in the oceans, fresh waters, karstic water and remote water bodies. However, little is known on groundwater contamination, which is a natural resource of utmost importance for millions of people and is often perceived as a reliable source of water. Moreover, nanofiltration is perceived as a reliable technology to remove contaminants from water. In this study, large sample volumes of a silty-sandy gravel aquifer and the corresponding nanofiltered water were analysed for the presence of MPs (> 20 µm) using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy. Concentration in ground water was 8 ± 7 MPs/m3 and increased to 36 ± 11 MPs/m3 in nanofiltered water. All MPs had a maximum Ferret diameter lower than 500 µm. Size distribution of MPs was towards the small size class (20–50 µm). In groundwater, 33% of MPs were detected in the smallest size class (20–50 µm) and 67% in the 50–100-µm-size class. In comparison, around 52% of MPs in nanofiltered water were observed in the 20–50 µm size class. Moreover, 33% of the MPs observed in nanofiltered water were in the 50–100 µm size class and 15% in the 100–500-µm-size class. From a chemical point of view, different plastic polymers were identified in groundwater and in nanofiltered water, such as polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene (vinyl acetate) copolymer (EVA), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and other polymer materials (such as polystyrene-based copolymers, vinyl-based copolymers). Fibres were observed in all samples, but only a small number of fibres (near 1%) were identified as PP synthetic fibres in nanofiltered water. Furthermore, no clear difference of fibre concentrations was observed between groundwater (232 ± 127 fibres/m3) and nanofiltered water (247 ± 118 fibres/m3). Groundwater had extremely low levels of microplastics, and although the nanofiltration effectively removes suspended particulate matter, it slightly contaminates the filtered water with MPs.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of a nanofiltration system on microplastic contamination in Geneva groundwater (Switzerland)

Negrete Velasco,

Ellero,

Ramseier Gentile

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…The combination of sand filters and active carbon filters can effectively remove microplastics from industrial water plants. The sand filter removes larger microplastics, while the active carbon filter removes smaller microplastics [219]. This dual-filtration approach ensures a higher level of microplastic removal and reduces the risk of these particles passing through the treatment process and into the environment [219].…”

Section: Physical Technology In Elimination Of Mp Contaminantmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sand filter removes larger microplastics, while the active carbon filter removes smaller microplastics [219]. This dual-filtration approach ensures a higher level of microplastic removal and reduces the risk of these particles passing through the treatment process and into the environment [219]. According to one study, the use of sand filters in combination with active carbon filters can achieve a high level of microplastic removal.…”

Section: Physical Technology In Elimination Of Mp Contaminantmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastic Occurrence in Sediments and Water with a Special Focus on Sources, Analytical Techniques, Health Risks, and Remediation Technologies

Kumar

Subramani

et al. 2023

Water

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Microplastics have become so pervasive that they seem to be present all around us due to the significant environmental threat they pose. Microplastic pollutants have become an issue as global plastic manufacturing has increased. Microplastics are plastic wastes with particulates less than 5 mm in size that are absorbed by sediment, water, the atmosphere, and living beings before affecting health. Moreover, there is a shortage of knowledge on the distribution, sources, toxic effects, analytical techniques, and removal technologies of microplastics. This review examines the distribution and global abundance of microplastics in aquatic and terrestrial environments, analytical methods, remediation technologies, and health risks. The following are included in this review article: (1) sampling, extraction, and analysis techniques for microplastics in sediment, water, and salt; (2) the source, global distribution, and concentration of microplastics; (3) toxicity and consequences of microplastics on human health; and (4) several methods for removing microplastics, grouped into three categories: engineered, biopolymer, and bioengineered approaches. The worldwide distribution, identification, toxic effects, and remediation technology of microplastics will benefit greatly from this review.

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“…MPs enter drinking water supplies, either from wastewater discharges or as a result of atmospheric deposition 9 . Once inside drinking water treatment plants, some MPs are so small that escape treatment processes such as sand and granular activated carbon filtration, ultimately making their way to final product 10 . In this regard, bottled water shares concerns with municipal drinking water sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics and non-natural cellulosic particles in Spanish bottled drinking water

Gálvez-Blanca,

Edo,

González-Pleiter

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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This investigation explored the presence of microplastics (MPs) and artificial cellulosic particles (ACPs) in commercial water marketed in single use 1.5 L poly(ethylene terephthalate) bottles. In this work we determined a mass concentration of 1.61 (1.10–2.88) µg/L and 1.04 (0.43–1.82) µg/L for MPs and ACPs respectively in five top-selling brands from the Spanish bottled water market. Most MPs consisted of white and transparent polyester and polyethylene particles, while most ACPs were cellulosic fibers likely originating from textiles. The median size of MPs and ACPs was 93 µm (interquartile range 76–130 µm) and 77 µm (interquartile range 60–96 µm), respectively. Particle mass size distributions were fitted to a logistic function, enabling comparisons with other studies. The estimated daily intake of MPs due to the consumption of bottled water falls within the 4–18 ng kg−1 day−1 range, meaning that exposure to plastics through bottled water probably represents a negligible risk to human health. However, it's worth noting that the concentration of plastic found was much higher than that recorded for tap water, which supports the argument in favour of municipal drinking water.

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Contamination and removal efficiency of microplastics and synthetic fibres in a conventional drinking water treatment plant in Geneva, Switzerland

Cited by 17 publications

References 45 publications

Impact of a nanofiltration system on microplastic contamination in Geneva groundwater (Switzerland)

Impact of a nanofiltration system on microplastic contamination in Geneva groundwater (Switzerland)

A Global Perspective on Microplastic Occurrence in Sediments and Water with a Special Focus on Sources, Analytical Techniques, Health Risks, and Remediation Technologies

Microplastics and non-natural cellulosic particles in Spanish bottled drinking water

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