Transport and fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: implications to environmental health

Raju, Subash; Carbery, Maddison; Kuttykattil, Aswin; Senathirajah, Kala; Subashchandrabose, Suresh R.; Evans, Geoffrey M.; Thavamani, Palanisami

doi:10.1007/s11157-018-9480-3

Cited by 121 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…Comparing mean results (1.6 ± 1.4 MP/ 250 mL to 3 ± 2.19 MP/250 mL) obtained with other studies which adopted similar method as this study, lower concentrations were reported in Finland 1 ± 1.1 MP/L[21] and 0.04 -1.2 MP/L[22]. Further, it was higher than concentration reported in the US, 0 MP/L[23] while lower to the ones reported in Netherland ± 67 MP/L[24]. After the results obtained, it can be said that 80% of the samples taken and analyzed in the laboratory contain the clear presence of DEHP Plasticizer from the friction of tires with the asphalt of the streets of Riobamba City, and only 20% of the samples analyzed do not present DEHP Plasticizer of this type.…”

supporting

confidence: 68%

Microplastics from degradation of tires in sewer networks of the city of Riobamba, Ecuador

Paredes

Viteri

Castillo

et al. 2020

Environmental Engineering Research

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Microplastics are small synthetic particles that come from petroleum derivatives, are difficult to degrade and their origin is found in industrial activity and domestic consumption, even in tires. The presence of small particles (0.1 µm to < 5 mm) of plasticizer Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and synthetic rubber, which due to their size and origin are called microplastics. The friction occurs between the asphalt in contact with the tires of cars generate the detachment of small residues of it, these residues come to contain a DEHP element. Simple residual water samples were carried out in the different sewage collectors in Riobamba city, 250 mL of each of these samples were filtered using vacuum suction equipment, to then examine the filters with a visual microscope. Obtaining as a result that 80% of the samples taken and analyzed in the laboratory contain the clear presence of DEHP plasticizer from the friction of tires (confirmed by the Principal Component Analysis) with the asphalting of the streets of the city of Riobamba, and that only 20% of the samples analyzed do not present DEHP plasticizer of this type, generating a medium risk for the health of humans and aquatic animals in the sector.

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supporting

confidence: 68%

Microplastics from degradation of tires in sewer networks of the city of Riobamba, Ecuador

Paredes

Viteri

Castillo

et al. 2020

Environmental Engineering Research

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“…A polymeric or inorganic flocculant is often added to improve particle sedimentation. Microplastics are sequestered into the settled solids to varying extents by these steps, with overall treatment removal rates of 90–99% in well‐designed systems (Carr et al, ; Raju et al, ). Murphy et al () noted that most of the buoyant microplastics, including the majority of microbeads from personal care products, were entrained in the floating grease fraction.…”

Section: Microplastics In the Indoor And Terrestrial Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

569

270

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Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

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“…In principle, all of these microplastic materials can be transported to the ocean by rivers, discharged by water treatment plants or through surface-run off, often aided by the wind [49]. Wastewater treatment plants are of great importance to retain hazardous waste material that otherwise would be discharged unhindered into the environment [50]. Therefore, the current article looks at recent studies of the retention of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics and Wastewater Treatment Plants—A Review

Habib¹,

Thiemann²,

Kendi³

2020

JWARP

108

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The emission of microplastics into nature poses a threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Their penetration of the food chain presents a danger to human health as well. Wastewater treatment plants can be seen as the last barrier between microplastics and the environment. This review focuses on the impact of waste treatment plants in retaining microplastics. Studies show that no wastewater treatment method leads to a complete retention of microplastics, and so wastewater treatment plants themselves are viewed as point sources for the discharge of microplastics into the aquatic environment. Problems associated with the utilization of microplastic loaded sewage sludge are also discussed in the review. Journal of Water Resource and Protection found as micropellets in cosmetic formulations and in facial cleaners and body scrubs (median size of 0.2 -0.4 mm), as microspherules in toothpastes (2 -5 μm in size), as well as in scrubbers used for air-blasting surfaces to remove paints and rust [25] and as drilling fluids in oil and gas exploration. A newer application is their use in drug delivery systems [26] [27]. In addition, synthetic polymer containing microparticles can also be released by the degradation of materials. The release of microfibers as a result of the washing of textiles has been widely reported as a source of microplastics [28] [29] [30] [31] [32]. These synthetic fibers, released by washing machines, are transported to waste water treatment plants [29] [33], where a considerable amount of them pass through the different treatment stages into the effluents due to their smaller size and enter the aquatic environment. It is estimated that around 35% of microplastics reaching the ocean are from synthetic textiles [34].Inventories of microplastics entering the environment have been attempted by organizations in different countries. A breakdown of the sources of microplastics in Sweden has been provided by Magnusson [35], which is given in detail below as an example of typical microplastic streams in developed countries. There is microplastic emission from plastic production, sandblasting material, cosmetic products, pharmaceutical drugs, textiles, road material and coatings. Using a spill factor of 0.04%, which was also used by Sundt et al. [26] for the estimation of pellet loss from the Norwegian plastic production plants, K. Magnusson et al. [35] have calculated a direct micropellet emission of 298 tons per year. In addition to that, there is loss due to the handling of plastic pellets which is set at between 0.0005% and 0.01%, adding another 12 -235 tons of microplastics emitted into the environment. These numbers were modeled on emission factors proposed by Lassen et al. [36] for the Danish production industry. However, no actual measured numbers of emissions of microplastics during production exist.The use of microplastics (e.g. of urea formaldehyde resins) in abrasive products for sandblasting has been deemed to be limited, and the use of these materials in Swedish shipyards is strictly regulated...

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Transport and fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: implications to environmental health

Cited by 121 publications

References 91 publications

Microplastics from degradation of tires in sewer networks of the city of Riobamba, Ecuador

Microplastics from degradation of tires in sewer networks of the city of Riobamba, Ecuador

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Microplastics and Wastewater Treatment Plants—A Review

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