Wastewater treatment plant effluents in New Zealand are a significant source of microplastics to the environment

Ruffell, Helena; Pantos, Olga; Northcott, Grant L.; Gaw, Sally

doi:10.1080/00288330.2021.1988647

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Despite observed removal efficiencies of >90% (>300 μm), − there is concern that the smaller MP fraction (<150 μm) escapes into the aquatic environment, even from WWTPs with a tertiary treatment stage. , A recent review focusing on 38 different WWTPs across 11 countries estimated that the average daily MP emission from a typical WWTP amounts to 5.00 × 10 5 to 1.39 × 10 10 MPs, depending on the treatment plant design and population serving size . However, such load estimates are frequently based on extrapolations from snapshot sampling campaigns (i.e., mostly one sample or a few samples at most) that provide sparse and nontargeted data on MP concentrations, which are then upscaled in time, e.g., by combining them with average daily or annual discharge information. , To date, few studies have examined the temporal variability in WWTP effluent, − and such studies have typically restricted their analyses to a limited number of samples, for example, representing wet and dry seasons or 24 h composites, and overlooking the impact of daily release patterns. , This lack of combined long-term and high-frequency data limits our understanding of potential temporal shifts in MP fluxes (loads). We hypothesize that incorporating data from various sampling intervals will enhance our understanding of riverine MP load variations that can be attributed to sporadic and irregular WWTP discharge patterns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 31 However, such load estimates are frequently based on extrapolations from snapshot sampling campaigns (i.e., mostly one sample or a few samples at most) that provide sparse and nontargeted data on MP concentrations, which are then upscaled in time, e.g., by combining them with average daily or annual discharge information. 31 , 36 To date, few studies have examined the temporal variability in WWTP effluent, 37 − 42 and such studies have typically restricted their analyses to a limited number of samples, for example, representing wet and dry seasons or 24 h composites, and overlooking the impact of daily release patterns. 37 , 38 This lack of combined long-term and high-frequency data limits our understanding of potential temporal shifts in MP fluxes (loads).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads

Kukkola,

Schneidewind,

Haverson

et al. 2024

ACS EST Water

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Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been described as key contributors of microplastics (MPs) to aquatic systems, yet temporal fluctuations in MP concentrations and loads downstream are underexplored. This study investigated how different sampling frequencies (hourly, weekly, and monthly) affect MP estimates in a stream linked to a single WWTP. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, considerable hourly variations in MP concentrations were discovered, while the polymer composition remained consistent. This temporal variability in MP loads was influenced by MP concentration, discharge rates, or a mix of both. These results show a high uncertainty, as relying on sparse snapshot samples combined with annual discharge data led to significant uncertainties in MP load estimates (over-and/or underestimation of emissions by 3.8 billion MPs annually at this site). Our findings stress the necessity of higherfrequency sampling for better comprehending the hydrodynamic factors influencing MP transport. This improved understanding enables a more accurate quantification of MP dynamics, crucial for downstream impact assessments. Therefore, preliminary reconnaissance campaigns are essential for designing extended, representative site-monitoring programs and ensuring more precise trend predictions on a larger scale.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads

Kukkola,

Schneidewind,

Haverson

et al. 2024

ACS EST Water

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“…The environmental fate of plastics and their cycling within and between environmental compartments is a key factor to be considered when assessing the impacts of plastic-associated TEs. Sources of plastic entering the environment include wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges, landfill leachate and aerial resuspension, agriculture, fishing, illegal and accidental littering, and the breakdown of large plastic materials through general wear and tear during usage (Wu et al, 2016a;Koelmans et al, 2019;Li et al, 2020;Ruffell et al, 2021). Once released into the environment there is a continuous flow of plastics between air, soil, biota, surface water, groundwater and sediments (Li et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of plastics in the accumulation and release of trace elements in the environment

Masterton¹,

Ruffell²,

Gaw³

et al. 2023

Camb. prisms Plast.

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Plastics are an emerging class of environmental contaminants whose impacts are not yet fully understood. Trace elements, another class of environmental contaminant and commonly associated with plastics, have been widely researched and are known to be toxic to organisms. However, the combined impacts of these two contaminants on the environment remain unclear. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge of the types and concentrations of trace elements associated with plastics, the role of plastics in creating new exposure routes, the processes involved in the release of trace elements from plastics, and the transport of plastics through environmental compartments. Trace elements inherent in plastics, due to addition during manufacture for formation or functional properties, are typically present at higher concentrations than those that are acquired from the environment, and consequently are likely to have greater impacts. Trace elements are continuously released into environmental matrices from plastics but may be released at higher concentrations when exposed to rapid changes in environmental conditions (pH, ionic strength, redox potential, salinity, UV levels). Plastics potentially provide additional exposure routes for organisms to trace elements. For example, exposure to trace elements may occur when organisms ingest plastics, use them for shelter and nest building or as a surface to attach onto. Further research to improve our understanding of this complex contaminant should focus on environmentally relevant studies on trace element release and their effects.

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“…In another survey conducted in New Zealand, dominant polymer types detected in the WWTPs, were polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene (26%, 22%, and 15%, respectively). The effluent from the three WWTPs enters the receiving coastal environment with an estimated 2.4 × 10 5 microplastics daily (Ruffell et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence, identification, and discharge of microplastics from effluent and sludge of the largest WWTP in Iran—South of Tehran

Oveisy

Rafiee

Rahmatpour

et al. 2022

Water Environment Research

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Microplastic pollution is a serious threat to the biota and humans, and wastewater treatment plants act as a pathway for entering microplastics into the environment. This study discusses the identification and quantification of microplastics in the south of Tehran municipal WWTP. The sampling was repeated three times in a month, overall, nine times for water samples and once a month in total, three times for digested sludge samples by steel bucket with the WPO method. The microplastics from water and digested sludge samples were identified using the micro‐Raman microscope. According to this study, 98.9% of microplastic particles in effluent and 99.2% of microplastics particles in the sludge were fibers. The influent contained an average of 180 ± 4.3 MP/L and was reduced to 5.3 ± 0.31 MP/L in the final effluent. Despite this significant reduction, we calculate that this WWTP releases 2.3 × 109 microplastics per day through final effluent and 1.61 × 1010 particles per day through dried sludge into the environment. We performed micro‐Raman analyses and ICP mass to measure the amount of heavy metal absorption of MPs. In addition, SEM analyses were used to study the surface morphology of microplastic particles. Practitioner Points Fourteen different polymers were identified in the influent, effluent, and digested sludge. The main collected shapes obtained were fiber, film, and fragment, which fiber was the predominant polymer in this WWTP. The plant releases 2.3 * 109 MPs per day to its downstream environment. This WWTP has average removal with an efficiency of 99.06%.

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Wastewater treatment plant effluents in New Zealand are a significant source of microplastics to the environment

Cited by 17 publications

References 49 publications

Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads

Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads

The role of plastics in the accumulation and release of trace elements in the environment

Occurrence, identification, and discharge of microplastics from effluent and sludge of the largest WWTP in Iran—South of Tehran

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