| Microplastic Pollution in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Removal Efficiency, Environmental Fate, and Ecological Risks |
| کد مقاله : 1606-IWWA |
| نویسندگان |
|
محمدمهدی فوزی *1، علیرضا راد2، حامد ولی پور2، مهسا حیدری2 1دانشگاه اصفهان 2شرکت مهندسین مشاور جامع کار سپاهان |
| چکیده مقاله |
| Microplastic (MP) contamination in municipal and industrial wastewater is an emerging environmental concern due to incomplete removal during treatment and subsequent release into aquatic and terrestrial environments. This review evaluates MP occurrence, removal efficiency, environmental fate, and potential ecological risks in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Reported removal efficiencies ranged from 21.8% to 99.9%, with membrane-based and advanced treatment systems generally achieving higher removal rates. Fibers and fragments were the predominant particle shapes, while polyethylene and polypropylene were frequently reported polymers. However, removed MPs may accumulate in sewage sludge, creating alternative pathways for environmental contamination. Six indices were examined to assess MP pollution and related characteristics: the Pollution Load Index (PLI), Polymer Hazard Index (PHI), Ecological Risk Index (ERI), Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), Simpson Diversity Index (SDI), and Diversity Integrated Index (DII). Their applications and limitations highlight the need to distinguish contamination levels, polymer-associated hazards, and particle diversity. The review also emphasizes quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) as essential for reliable and comparable results. Future research priorities include harmonizing analytical methods, validating risk indices against biological evidence, establishing scientifically supported MP thresholds, and exploring the integration of grey water footprint assessment into wastewater management. These advances could support more comprehensive environmental evaluations and improve the management of MP pollution. |
| کلیدواژه ها |
| Emerging contaminants, Remediation, Microplastics, Risk Assessment, POP |
| وضعیت: پذیرفته شده برای ارسال فایل های ارائه پوستر |
