The Py – GC-TOF-MS analysis and characterization of microplastics (MPs) in a wastewater treatment plant in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Vilakati, Bongekile; Sivasankar, V.; Nyoni, Hlengilizwe; Mamba, Bhekie B.; Omine, Kiyoshi; Msagati, Titus A.M.

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112478

Cited by 24 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Outlets of WWTPs are reportedly among the most significant sources of microplastics (Eerkes‐Medrano et al, 2015 ; Mason et al, 2016 ). In the context of the Vaal, WWTPs in the area, namely, the Leeuwkuil, Sebokeng, Midvaal, and Rietspruit are characterized by a history of breakdown, outdated equipment, operating beyond design capacity, and rarely treating wastewater to acceptable standards (Iloms et al, 2020 ; South African Human Rights Commission, 2021 ; Vilakati et al, 2021 ; Wepener et al, 2011 ). Consequently, most municipalities around the Vaal River have been identified as being in contravention of the National Water Act (Herbig, 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Waters and Sediments of the Vaal River, South Africa: Abundance, Composition, and Sources

Ramaremisa

Ndlovu

Saad

2022

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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We extracted microplastics from surface water and sediment samples from the Vaal River in Johannesburg, South Africa. Average abundances of 0.61 ± 0.57 particles/m 3 and 4.6 × 10 2 ± 2.8 × 10 2 particles/kg dry weight were recorded for water and sediment samples, respectively. In both sediment and water samples, more than 80% of microplastics were fragments and fibers of smaller than 2 mm. High-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene were the dominant polymers identified in both sample types. In addition, polyethylene co-vinyl acetate, polyester, polyurethane, and polyethylene/ hexene-1-copolymer were also detected in sediment samples. Colored microplastics were the most commonly observed in both sample types; pigment yellow 83 was detected in surface water, and carbon black was detected in both sediment and water samples during Raman analysis. Taking into consideration the physical and chemical characteristics of the detected microplastics, their potential sources include inflow from tributaries, surface run-off from urban city centers, recreational activities, and wastewater effluent from industries and households.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Waters and Sediments of the Vaal River, South Africa: Abundance, Composition, and Sources

Ramaremisa

Ndlovu

Saad

2022

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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“…Thermal cleavage analysis, an emerging spectroscopic technique that exploits the thermal stability of samples to discern changes in their physicochemical properties, has emerged as a promising tool for the identification of microplastics (MPs) [71]. The combination of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has proven effective in discerning polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) [72].…”

Section: Thermal Cleavagementioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Water: A Review of Characterization and Removal Methods

Li,

Chen,

Tang

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Microplastics (MPs), as an emerging persistent pollutant, exist and accumulate in the environment, which has garnered them considerable global attention. While the origin, dispersion, distribution, and impact of MPs have been extensively documented, the characterization and removal strategies for MPs present ongoing challenges. In this literature review, we introduce in detail the advantages and disadvantages of seven characterization methods, from macroscopic to microscopic, from visual observation to microscopic characterization, and discuss their scope of application. In addition, 12 treatment schemes were summarized from the three treatment directions of physics, chemistry, and biology, including filtration, adsorption, extraction, magnetic separation, oil film separation, Fenton oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, persulfate advanced oxidation, photocatalytic oxidation, coagulation, electrocoagulation, foam flotation, anaerobic–anoxic–aerobic activated sludge, enzymatic degradation, bacterial degradation, and fungal degradation. Additionally, we present a critical assessment of the advantages and drawbacks associated with these removal strategies. Building upon the findings of our research team, we propose a novel approach to degrade MPs, which combines three-dimensional electrocatalytic oxidation technology with persulfate advanced oxidation technology. This advanced oxidation technology achieves 100% degradation of antibiotics in water, can degrade large molecules into environmentally harmless small molecules, and should also be a very good strategy for the degradation of MPs. Compared with two-dimensional electrocatalytic technology, the degradation efficiency is higher and the degradation cost is lower This review intends to propel further advancements for addressing the issue of MP pollution.

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“…More so, this information shows that there is still a serious research gap on the investigation and removal of MPs by WWTPs in Africa as a whole. In 2021, a study published by Vilakati and co-workers found that there were only three (03) published research articles on MPs in coastal water, two (02) on marine sand, and six (06) on marine animals, while there were only six (06) on freshwater [103]. To our knowledge, this is the first review study that comprehensively sheds light on the status and the capabilities of WWTPs for the removal of MPs in South Africa.…”

Section: The Status Of Wwtps In South Africa and Their Capabilities F...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants in South Africa and the Degradation of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments—A Critical Review

Malematja,

Melato,

Mokgalaka-Fleischmann

2023

Sustainability

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The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and their omnipresence have attracted enormous attention across the globe; however, research on MPs in South Africa is still in its infancy and thus, the data are still very much lacking. Approximately 120 million tons of general waste is generated each year in South Africa, which exacerbates the pressure on the ability of municipalities to manage waste. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are at the center of this general waste that includes plastic debris and primary MPs that are discharged from households and industries. In general, the removal efficiency of MPs across the globe was found to be between 70% and 99%, with biological treatment technology common in both primary and secondary treatment steps in WWTPs. Furthermore, the current review paper has revealed that there is a wide research gap on the occurrence and fate of MPs in WWTPs across South Africa. This is a worrying factor considering the increasing rate of plastic waste generation due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and overpopulation in the country. More so, the scarcity of data regarding the occurrence of MPs in freshwater is widely noticeable across the country. Therefore, given the amounts of MPs discharged from households, industries, and plastic debris littered into the surface waters, the data on the occurrence and fate of MPs in South Africa should be given the urgent attention they deserve. To achieve the effective and sustainable management of water resources and services set out in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 adopted by the government, the status and capabilities of WWTPs to remove MPs must be monitored and addressed. In addition to achieving the zero waste to landfill goal by 2030, a circular economy is regarded as the most effective model for solving the plastic waste crisis in the environment; therefore, its full implementation is required for a substantial impact.

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The Py – GC-TOF-MS analysis and characterization of microplastics (MPs) in a wastewater treatment plant in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Cited by 24 publications

References 62 publications

Comparative Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Waters and Sediments of the Vaal River, South Africa: Abundance, Composition, and Sources

Comparative Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Waters and Sediments of the Vaal River, South Africa: Abundance, Composition, and Sources

Microplastics in Water: A Review of Characterization and Removal Methods

The Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants in South Africa and the Degradation of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments—A Critical Review

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