IR microspectroscopic identification of microplastics in municipal wastewater treatment plants

Hongprasith, Narapong; Kittimethawong, Chakrit; Lertluksanaporn, Rawit; Eamchotchawalit, Theepop; Kittipongvises, Suthirat; Lohwacharin, Jenyuk

doi:10.1007/s11356-020-08265-7

Cited by 79 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Reference [9] also found a similar concentration of microplastic particles in the influent and grit chamber. It was possible that primary treatment processes had no ability to remove microplastics.…”

Section: A Microplastics Abundance and Treatment Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Most problems are caused by improper disposal that directly release into nature. Microplastics are particles resulting from plastic degradation and have a particle size of less than 5 micrometers [5], [9], [20]. Microplastics are categorized based on the type of polymer, such as polyethylene made from the combination of ethylene monomers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, several plastic particles release into the main river and the Gulf of Thailand. There are only a few studies on the presence of microplastics in the influent and effluent from WWTPs [9], [19], especially from industrial WWTPs which might be a huge source of microplastics contamination in the environment. This work is one of the first studies about the fate of microplastics in central industrial WWTPs in Thailand.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Central Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants

2021

PSENR-21, PCBEM-21-Pattaya &Amp; MESSH-21 May 26-28 2021 Istanbul (Turkey)

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Central industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are an important source of microplastics in the environment. This study investigated the microplastics present in WWTP from two industrial estates in Thailand. Both WWTPs (WWTP A and WWTP B) operate with an activated sludge process. The result showed that the abundance of influent, post sediment tank, and RO process of WWTP A was 101.87 ± 0.47, 11.04 ± 0.08, and 0.44 ± 0.04 particles/L, respectively. On the other hand, the abundance of influent and effluent of WWTP B was 148.44 ± 0.91 and 33.53 ± 0.55 particles/L. The removal rate of microplastics showed 89.22% for WWTP A, 77.54% for WWTP B, and the highest in the tertiary process (99.54% for reverse osmosis system (RO) process from WWTP A). In addition, shape, size, colors, and polymer were detected. Most of the microplastics from both WWTPs were pellet (46.14 and 56.82%), ranging (20-212 µm), and white/clear. Based on the FTIR result, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the most common polymer types.

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Section: A Microplastics Abundance and Treatment Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Central Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants

2021

PSENR-21, PCBEM-21-Pattaya &Amp; MESSH-21 May 26-28 2021 Istanbul (Turkey)

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“…In general, SeS is collected by grab sampling methods, often in different points of the bulk materials or for different times to ensure the statistical significance [11,32,33]. In many studies, the SeS is dried before starting the analyses [34][35][36]; in general, wet or dry samples are sieved with different meshes sieves to separate the plastic size fractions [37][38][39].…”

Section: Methodical Procedures Of Mps Detection In Sewage Sludgementioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A Known but Underrated Pathway in Wastewater Treatment Plants

et al. 2021

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Interest in the presence of microplastics (MPs) in wastewater has grown significantly in recent years. In fact, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent the last barrier before the discharge of MPs into an aquatic ecosystem. The research has highlighted how MPs are in part effectively removed from the waters and accumulated inside the sewage sludge (SeS) produced by the WWTP, being a cause for concern, especially in the case of agricultural reuse. This work aims to analyze the existing literature on the (i) methodical procedure for MPs analysis (thermal, spectroscopic, optical analyses), (ii) qualitative and quantitative presence of MPs in SeS, (iii) effect on sludge properties, and (iv) the possible accumulation in amended soils. Based on the results already obtained in the literature, this work aims to provide critical insights to stimulate interest in the topic and direct future research on aspects that should be deepened. In particular, it emerges that there is a clear need for standardization of the collection methods and the analytical techniques for identifying and quantifying MPs, since their physico-chemical characterization and the study on aging and on the response towards acid or basic pre-treatments are fundamental for the understanding of microplastics ecotoxicological potential.

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“…Few studies have been undertaken on the contamination risks posed by MPs in WWTPs in Thailand. Recent studies have focused on particles that are larger than 0.3 mm (Hongprasith et al, 2020). Smaller particles might be overlooked and become a potential source of pollution in the environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic contamination in a conventional wastewater treatment plant in Thailand

Tadsuwan

Babel

2021

Waste Manag Res

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Plastic waste has become a global environmental concern. One type of plastic waste is microplastics (MPs), which can spread easily in the environment. Wastewater effluent is one of the land-based sources of MPs. This study investigates the amount of microplastic (MP) pollution in an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Thailand. Water samples were collected and examined to find the types, morphology and sources of MPs. Wastewater was filtered through a set of sieves ranging from 5 mm to 0.05 mm. Sludge samples were also collected to find the potential risk from the application of dried sewage sludge. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the types of MPs. The amount of MPs in the influent was 26.6 ± 11.8 MPs/L. More than one-third of MP particles were removed after a grit trap, followed by 14.24% removal in the secondary treatment. If the peak flow rate of the WWTP is reached, 2.32 × 109 MP particles can be released daily. The amount of MPs in a sludge sample was 8.12 ± 0.28 × 103 particles/kg dry weight. Dry sludge is one of the potential sources of MP contamination in agricultural soil. Most MPs in the liquid fraction and sludge sample were fibres. Results from FTIR analysis showed that the major types of MPs in the WWTP were polyester fibres, followed by polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone polymer and polystyrene. This finding indicates that a conventional WWTP may act as a path by which MPs enter the environment.

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IR microspectroscopic identification of microplastics in municipal wastewater treatment plants

Cited by 79 publications

References 25 publications

The Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Central Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants

The Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Central Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants

Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A Known but Underrated Pathway in Wastewater Treatment Plants

Microplastic contamination in a conventional wastewater treatment plant in Thailand

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