Occurrence, identification and removal of microplastics in a wastewater treatment plant compared to an advanced MBR technology: Full-scale pilot plant

Egea-Corbacho, Ágata; Franco, Ana Amelia; Quiroga, José María; Andreasen, R.; Jørgensen, Mads Koustrup; Christensen, Morten Lykkegaard

doi:10.1016/j.jece.2023.109644

Cited by 40 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 52 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…According to the findings of the present study, the effluent from the WWTP operated using MBR technology showed significantly lower average concentrations of MPs (9.53 ± 5.21 MP/L) compared to the final effluent from the AS process, at 32.71 ± 19.55 MP/L. These results were to be expected since several related investigations [27,55,56] have consistently shown that MBR technology, combining membrane filtration processes with suspended-growth biological reactors, exhibits high efficiency in MP removal, often approaching or reaching 100% (99.9%) and exceeding the results obtained with the AS process.…”

Section: Microlitter Particle Occurrencesupporting

confidence: 82%

Abundance and Characterization of Anthropogenic Microlitter in Effluent from Three Wastewater Treatment Plants in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

Sanz,

Rodríguez

2023

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as significant point sources of microlitter particles (MPs) released into the environment. Simultaneously, they play a crucial role in effectively removing a substantial amount of MPs originated from domestic and industrial activities. This study evaluates the presence and chemical composition of MPs within the range of 5 mm to 25 µm in effluents from three WWTPs in the Canary Islands, each undergoing distinct treatment processes: pretreatment (PRET), activated sludge (AS), and membrane bioreactor (MBR) over an eight-month period. The concentrations of MPs exhibited substantial variations in the three effluent samples: 7461.50 ± 3843.87 MP/L in PRET, 32.71 ± 19.55 MP/L in AS, and 9.53 ± 5.21 MP/L in MBR. The predominant forms of MPs were fragments (58–66%) and fibers (27–33%), with the most prevalent size class being within the range of 150–25 µm. The mass concentrations of plastics, analyzed through pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS), were determined as 123.33 µg/L for PRET, 17 µg/L for AS, and 10 µg/L for MBR. This study revealed a diverse polymer profile, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyolefins (PE and PP) predominantly present. This work enhances our understanding of MP dynamics and provides a valuable reference for future assessments, aiding in the selection of effective removal technologies.

show abstract

Section: Microlitter Particle Occurrencesupporting

confidence: 82%

Abundance and Characterization of Anthropogenic Microlitter in Effluent from Three Wastewater Treatment Plants in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

Sanz,

Rodríguez

2023

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Water scarcity is become a significant concern for a large number of countries, with many more predicted to suffer from waterrelated problems in the coming years. 1,2 Escalating water demands due to industrialization, lifestyle changes, population growth and climate change have highlighted the necessity of rational water management. [2][3][4] One significant pillar in this direction is developing and applying advanced wastewater treatment strategies that allow wastewater purification and effluent reuse.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[2][3][4] One significant pillar in this direction is developing and applying advanced wastewater treatment strategies that allow wastewater purification and effluent reuse. [1][2][3][4] These technologies should significantly outperform existing technologies such as units based on conventional activated sludge (CAS) treatment and be able to simultaneously address emerging issues such as persistent pollutants, microplastics and pathogens. Among various technologies, membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have already stood out, as they can achieve a superior quality effluent using a compact design.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Water scarcity is become a significant concern for a large number of countries, with many more predicted to suffer from water‐related problems in the coming years 1,2 . Escalating water demands due to industrialization, lifestyle changes, population growth and climate change have highlighted the necessity of rational water management 2‐4 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Escalating water demands due to industrialization, lifestyle changes, population growth and climate change have highlighted the necessity of rational water management 2‐4 . One significant pillar in this direction is developing and applying advanced wastewater treatment strategies that allow wastewater purification and effluent reuse 1‐4 . These technologies should significantly outperform existing technologies such as units based on conventional activated sludge (CAS) treatment and be able to simultaneously address emerging issues such as persistent pollutants, microplastics and pathogens.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Utilizing ultrasonic vibrations to mitigate membrane fouling in domestic wastewater membrane bioreactors: a mini review

Frontistis,

Sarmpanis,

Lykogiannis

2023

J of Chemical Tech & Biotech

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite their compact design and superior effluent quality, resulting from the smart integration of separation processes with biodegradation, the widespread adoption of membrane bioreactors is limited due to the persistent issue of membrane fouling. This mini‐review encapsulates research on using ultrasound‐induced vibration to mitigate membrane fouling in domestic wastewater systems. It discusses the dual physical and chemical mechanisms behind the use of ultrasound and highlights its limitations. Moreover, it proposes several future research directions, including further examination of operating conditions such as ultrasound power and frequency, combining ultrasound with other cleaning strategies scaling up the process, and the need for long‐term experiments, where additional emphasis must be given (i) to the influence of ultrasound irradiation on membrane integrity and efficiency and (ii) estimating the cost of sonochemical integration and operation Finally, it underscores the need for a holistic assessment that considers energy and environmental issues and discusses a proposed roadmap toward implementing ultrasound technology in MBR systems.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

show abstract

Cutting‐Edge Strategies and Advancements for Combating Synthetic Polymer Pollution in Various Environmental Samples: A Review

Sajad,

Allam,

Banerjee

et al. 2024

ChemistrySelect

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plastic debris is unavoidably released into the ecosystems, and their physicochemical and mechanical qualities deteriorate when exposed to the environment. This, ultimately, leads to the generation of tiny fragments of plastic, which are known as nanoplastics (<1000 nm) and microplastics (<5 mm). Over the past few years, the pollution of synthetic polymers has been reported in almost all the compartments of the environment across the globe. It is regarded as a hazard to both human health and natural systems. In addition, synthetic polymers act as vectors for contaminants as they can adsorb and accumulate contaminants from seawater. The accumulation of plastic waste in the environment and its widespread presence have drawn the attention of policymakers and the public. This global issue has led to the creation of numerous remediation solutions by innovators in previous decades, either to clear up old waste or to stop plastic from entering the various matrices of the environment. This review focused on the extensive scientific research available on effective techniques for removing plastic debris to promote positive action and progress in this important area. Despite the various challenges, these techniques offer vital opportunities, from increasing awareness to enhancing environmental quality. Further, the article has been enriched by incorporating bibliometric data that illustrates the widely used methods for removing microplastics from various environmental matrices. According to the data analysis, numerous remediation techniques have been developed to date (2010 and 2024). These techniques encompass various approaches, among which the chemical‐based methods enjoy more success. This success can be attributed to the diverse advantages offered by chemical‐based methods over other remediation techniques. Much research is now focused on overcoming the disadvantages and developing more efficient and environmentally sound technologies.

show abstract

Occurrence, identification and removal of microplastics in a wastewater treatment plant compared to an advanced MBR technology: Full-scale pilot plant

Cited by 40 publications

References 52 publications

Abundance and Characterization of Anthropogenic Microlitter in Effluent from Three Wastewater Treatment Plants in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

Abundance and Characterization of Anthropogenic Microlitter in Effluent from Three Wastewater Treatment Plants in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

Utilizing ultrasonic vibrations to mitigate membrane fouling in domestic wastewater membrane bioreactors: a mini review

Cutting‐Edge Strategies and Advancements for Combating Synthetic Polymer Pollution in Various Environmental Samples: A Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About