Abstract:
In last 10 years, the interest about the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has strongly grown. Wastewaters function as a carrier for MPs contamination from source to the aquatic environment, so the knowledge of the fate of this emerging contaminant in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a priority. This work aims to review the presence of MPs in the influent wastewater (WW) and the effectiveness of the treatments of conventional WWTPs. Moreover, the negative impacts of MPs on the management of the processes have been also discussed. The work also focuses on the possible approaches to tackle MPs contamination enhancing the effectiveness of the WWTPs. Based on literature results, despite WWTPs are not designed for MPs removal from WW, they can effectively remove the MPs (up to 99 % in some references). Nevertheless, they normally act as \"hotspots\" of MPs contamination considering the remaining concentration of MPs in WWTPs\' effluents can be several orders of magnitude higher than receiving waters. Moreover, MPs removed from WW are concentrated in sewage sludge (potentially >65 % of MPs entering the WWTP) posing a concern in case of the potential reuse as a soil improver. This work aims to present a paradigm shift intending WWTPs as key barriers for environmental protection. Approaches for increasing effectiveness against MPs have been discussed in order to define the optimal point(s) of the WWTP in which these technologies should be located. The need of a future legislation about MPs in water and sludge is discussed.
摘要:
在过去的10年里,人们对环境中存在微塑料(MPs)的兴趣强烈增长。废水是MP污染从源头到水生环境的载体,因此,了解污水处理厂(WWTP)中这种新兴污染物的命运是当务之急。这项工作旨在审查在进水废水(WW)中的MP的存在和常规WWTP处理的有效性。此外,还讨论了国会议员对流程管理的负面影响。这项工作还着重于解决国会议员污染的可能方法,以提高WWTP的有效性。根据文献结果,尽管WWTP不是为从WW移除国会议员而设计的,他们可以有效地删除国会议员(在一些参考文献中最高可达99%)。然而,考虑到污水处理厂废水中MP的剩余浓度可能比接收水高几个数量级,它们通常充当MP污染的“热点”。此外,从WW中去除的MP集中在污水污泥中(可能>65%的MP进入WWTP),这在潜在的土壤改良剂重复使用的情况下引起了关注。这项工作旨在提出一种范式转变,将污水处理厂作为环境保护的主要障碍。已经讨论了提高针对MP的有效性的方法,以便定义这些技术应该位于其中的WWTP的最佳点。讨论了有关水和污泥中国会议员的未来立法的必要性。