A Review of the Origins of Microplastics arriving at Wastewater Treatment Plants

Abstract

Concerns regarding the impacts of microplastics in the global environment have brought into focus the need to understand better their origins, transport, and fate. Wastewaters (WW) are important in this regard: discharges from households, commercial and industrial premises, and surface run-off deliver microplastics to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) via sewerage systems, through which they are removed along with sewage sludge or destined for release into the environment in treated effluent. This review provides a contemporary and critical analysis of factors influencing the quantities and composition of microplastics (MPs) reaching wastewater treatment plants, including both primary and secondary sources. Three specific areas of concern were highlighted. First, current legislation, where present, needs to address regulation of microplastics in personal care and cosmetic products that cross international borders. Secondly, accurate estimation of microplastics arising from some sources and activities (e.g., mis-managed waste and hand washing of textiles) is challenging and estimated contributions of associated microplastics remain unsatisfactory as a basis for management decisions. Thirdly, information relating to microplastics in personal care and cosmetic products used by male consumers is lacking and contributions of such products to wastewater remain uncertain. We recommend that (1) voluntary practices and programmes should be replaced with formal regulation to achieve compliance, and (2) the role of consumers’ behaviour in generating microplastics that are destined for wastewater treatment plants remains largely unknown and that more research in this domain is needed.

Examining Soil Microplastics: Prevalence and Consequences Across Varied Land Use Contexts

“…The widespread presence of PE and PP is understandable, considering they rank among the most globally used plastics. They feature prominently in personal care and cosmetics, as well as in plastic bags and packaging [103].…”

“…Potential microplastic sources in residential areas and bare lands might include road or vehicle emissions, given the proximity of sampling points to streets, as well as construction activities. Additionally, illegal waste practices, such as littering and inadequate waste disposal, can also contribute to the heightened microplastic concentrations [103]. This is especially true for barelands, which often bear the brunt of illegal dumping, including the discardin g of single-use plastics.…”

Pendampingan Pewarnaan Batik Singonegoro Menggunakan Pewarna Alami Dari Tanaman Indigofera Tinctoria

“…Indonesia juga negara yang memiliki kekayaan alam dan biodiversitas yang merupakan bahan baku pembuatan zat pewarna alami (Agustarini et al, 2022;Andriana & Puspitawati, 2022;Budiastuti et al, 2023;Prijosusilo, 2022). BPS menyebutkan pada tahun 2021, rata-rata impor zat pewarna sintetis 5 tahun terakhir mencapai lebih dari 42.000 ton per tahun (Elasrag, 2022;Landeros et al, 2022;Soni et al, 2022). Indonesia juga pernah menjadi penghasil zat pewarna alami blue indigo terbesar di pasar dunia saat penjajahan Belanda dari tahun 1602 sampai dengan tahun 1942.…”