STEM Approach in Assessment of Microplastic Particles in Textile Wastewater

Abstract

Multidisciplinary engineering approach as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) approach to characterize microplastic particles in household and industrial effluents was performed. Particles released during production, use, and disposal of plastic products now pose a significant burden on the environment. In addition to the consumption of energy, water and chemicals, the impact of the washing process is increasingly reflected in the environmental impact of microplastic particles shed from textiles. This review addresses the influences of chemistry through detergent composition, technology through the washing process, engineering aspect through hydrodynamic effects and transport phenomena, and finally the application of advanced mathematical analysis. The multivariate analysis is a selected method or proof of concept for the characterization of the washing effluents considering the particle release. The results of the cluster analysis show the importance of the temperature of 40 °C and 80 °C, the increase of the number of washing cycles and the addition of detergent as key parameters for the release of MP particles.