TITLE:
Microplastics and Wastewater Treatment Plants—A Review
AUTHORS:
Rana Zeeshan Habib, Thies Thiemann, Ruwaya Al Kendi
KEYWORDS:
Microplastics, Waste Water Treatment, Sewage Sludge, Aquatic Environment
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
6,
2020
ABSTRACT: The emission of microplastics into nature poses a threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Their penetration of the food chain presents a danger to human health as well. Wastewater treatment plants can be seen as the last barrier between microplastics and the environment. This review focuses on the impact of waste treatment plants in retaining microplastics. Studies show that no wastewater treatment method leads to a complete retention of microplastics, and so wastewater treatment plants themselves are viewed as point sources for the discharge of microplastics into the aquatic environment. Problems associated with the utilization of microplastic loaded sewage sludge are also discussed in the review.