Tracing the fate of microplastic in wastewater treatment plant: A multi-stage analysis of treatment units and sludge

Dronjak, Lara; Expósito, Nora; Sierra, Jordi; Schuhmacher, Marta; Florencio, Karin; Corzo, Beatriz; Rovira, Joaquim

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122072

Cited by 25 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Additionally, a laboratory duplicate was analyzed for the bottom layer of the Core 2 sediment, and the coefficient of variation, calculated as a percentage, was found to be 24.22%. Recovery rate experiments were conducted in a previous study [30] for the extraction of MPs. The average recovery for triplicate samples was 75% for spiked MPs (fluorescent polyethylene (PE) microspheres, Cospheric innovations, CA, USA) with a diameter size of 53-63 µm, 74% for spiked MPs with a diameter size of 125-150 µm, 70% for particles with a diameter size of 250-300 µm, and 100% for particles with diameter sizes of 450-500 µm.…”

Section: Quality Assurance and Quality Control (Qa/qc)mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Microplastic Pollution Hotspot: Elevated Levels in Sediments from the San Francisco Bay Area

Dronjak,

Rovira,

Lin

et al. 2024

Environments

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San Francisco Bay’s sediment is currently monitored for a variety of contaminants; however, data regarding the microplastics (MPs) in the area are still scarce. MPs’ occurrence in sediment samples has gained recognition as a reservoir for MP accumulation. Moreover, Bay sediment is also an important matrix for monitoring because sediment tends to accumulate certain contaminants and act as a source of contaminants in the Bay food web. This study analyzed MPs ranging from 25 µm to 5 mm in surface sediment grab samples (n = 8) and two sediment core samples (n = 2 cores analyzed with 11 samples from different depths). Our findings provide an evaluation of MP levels in different regions of the bay. The MP levels detected in Bay surface grab samples ranged from 2.1 to 11.9 MPs/g dry weight (n = 8), with a mean value of 6.2 MPs/g. The most abundant morphology was fibers, followed by fragments and films.

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Section: Quality Assurance and Quality Control (Qa/qc)mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Microplastic Pollution Hotspot: Elevated Levels in Sediments from the San Francisco Bay Area

Dronjak,

Rovira,

Lin

et al. 2024

Environments

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“…The qualitative and quantitative analyses of BMPs closely resembled those of conventional microplastics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and spectral analysis techniques were widely used to identify microplastics, of which spectral analysis included attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), , Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. For quantitative analysis, thermal analysis methods were commonly used, including techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Pyro-GC/MS), and thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) .…”

Section: Detection and Occurrence Of Biodegradable Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodegradable Microplastics in Municipal Wastewater and Sludge Treatment Processes: A Review on Occurrence, Fate, and Effects

Lu,

Dong,

Zhou

et al. 2023

ACS EST Water

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Biodegradable plastics have emerged as reliable alternatives to conventional plastics for alleviating global plastic pollution. However, biodegradable plastics could also rupture into microplastics and inevitably accumulate in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The fate and effects of biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) in wastewater treatment and sludge disposal processes are of great concern but have not yet been reviewed. This review comprehensively expounded the occurrence, fate, and consequential effects of BMPs in WWTPs. Specifically, the environmental contents of BMPs and the corresponding detection techniques were analyzed and compared with conventional microplastics. Furthermore, the mechanical aging, additive release, extracellular hydrolysis, and microbial biotransformation of BMPs were documented meticulously. Also, the effects of BMPs on microbial community structure and function, as well as pollutant adsorption, were underscored. The obtained knowledge would update our understanding of the risk and control of BMPs in WWTPs. Recommendations for future investigations are made.

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Microalgae for microplastic removal from water and wastewater: a review

Sousa,

Kinney,

Sousa

et al. 2025

Environ Chem Lett

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Tracing the fate of microplastic in wastewater treatment plant: A multi-stage analysis of treatment units and sludge

Cited by 25 publications

References 45 publications

A Microplastic Pollution Hotspot: Elevated Levels in Sediments from the San Francisco Bay Area

A Microplastic Pollution Hotspot: Elevated Levels in Sediments from the San Francisco Bay Area

Biodegradable Microplastics in Municipal Wastewater and Sludge Treatment Processes: A Review on Occurrence, Fate, and Effects

Microalgae for microplastic removal from water and wastewater: a review

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