Article, 2024

Point-source tracking of microplastics in sewerage systems. Finding the culprit

Water Research, ISSN 1879-2448, 0043-1354, Volume 257, Page 121696, 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121696

Contributors

Iordachescu, Lucian 0000-0002-4759-4104 (Corresponding author) [1] Nielsen, Rasmus Vest 0000-0002-3819-4555 [1] Papacharalampos, Konstantinos [1] Barritaud, Lauriane [2] Denieul, Marie-Pierre 0000-0002-7958-7021 [2] Plessis, Emmanuel [3] Baratto, Gilles [3] Julien, Veronique [3] Vollertsen, Jess 0000-0003-0738-0547 [1]

Affiliations

  1. [1] Aalborg University
    2. [NORA names: AAU Aalborg University; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  2. [2] Veolia Research & Innovation, Research Center of Maisons-Laffitte, Chemin de la Digue, 78600 Maisons-Laffitte, France.
    3. [NORA names: France; Europe, EU; OECD];
  3. [3] Veolia Eau, Operations Direction Mediterranean Region, 1 rue Albert Cohen, 13321 Marseille b Cedex 16, France.
    4. [NORA names: France; Europe, EU; OECD]

Abstract

Prior microplastic (MP) research has focused more on the efficiency of removal techniques within wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), with comparatively less emphasis placed on identifying and understanding the sources of MPs. In this study, the presence of MP in wastewater from various sources and their associated WWTPs was investigated. Utilising focal plane array micro Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FPA-μFTIR), the chemical composition, size distribution, and mass of MPs were quantified. Notably, wastewater generated from an industrial laundry facility exhibited the highest MP concentration of 6900 counts L-1 or 716 μg L-1. Domestic sewage contained MP levels (1534 counts L-1; 158 μg L-1) similar to those at the WWTPs (1640 counts L-1; 114 μg L-1). Polyester was identified as a significant component in most of the sources, predominantly originating from the shedding of fibres during textile washing. Additionally, a post-processing software was employed to compare two methods for fibre identification: aspect ratio and elongation ratio. These findings underscore the potential environmental impact of domestic activities and laundry washing on wastewater MP content.

Keywords

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, MP, MP concentrations, MP content, MP levels, activity, aspect ratio, aspects, chemical, chemical composition, components, composition, concentration, content, count, culprit, distribution, domestic activities, domestic sewage, efficiency, elongation, elongation ratio, environmental impact, facilities, fibre identification, fibres, findings, high MP concentrations, identification, impact, industrial laundry facility, infrared spectroscopy, laundry, laundry facilities, laundry washing, levels, mass, mass of Mp, method, micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, microplastics, plants, polyester, post-processing software, potential environmental impacts, presence, presence of MP, ratio, removal techniques, research, sewage, sewerage, sewerage system, shedding, size, size distribution, software, source, sources of MPs, spectroscopy, study, system, technique, textile washing, transform infrared spectroscopy, treatment plants, washing, wastewater, wastewater treatment plants

Data Provider: Digital Science

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