Navigating microplastics in wastewater treatment: Understanding analysis, mitigation, removal strategies, impact, and current knowledge gaps

Microplastics (MPs) pose a global threat to both the environment and human health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as major contributors to MPs pollution in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. This review addresses the critical issue of MPs in WWTPs, focusing on their detecti...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Contreras-Llin, Albert, Carrera, Jesús, Diaz-Cruz, Silvia
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/373091
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/373091
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85209649490
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Wastewater
Environmental pollution
Microplastics
Removal strategies
WWTP
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Descripción
Sumario:Microplastics (MPs) pose a global threat to both the environment and human health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as major contributors to MPs pollution in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. This review addresses the critical issue of MPs in WWTPs, focusing on their detection, removal processes, environmental impact, and the current gaps in knowledge. Reported concentrations range from 0.70 to 1567.49 n/L in influent wastewater and from 0.002 to 356 n/L in treated effluents, highlighting the effectiveness of WWTPs in reducing MPs. However, the lack of standardized protocols for sampling, pretreatment, and analysis remains a significant challenge for generating consistent and comparable data. This review not only examines MP removal techniques but also emphasizes the need for improved methods to ensure accurate identification and characterization. To address these gaps, we propose actionable recommendations based on the authors' experience. Future research should prioritize refining these methodologies to enhance our understanding of MP pollution and its mitigation.