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Microplastics in wastewater treatment systems and receiving waters

Blair Espinoza, Reina Maricela (2019) Microplastics in wastewater treatment systems and receiving waters. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Plastic pollution is a problem of global scale and will increase as synthetic polymers continue to be produced, used, and discarded. Microplastic (MPs, <5 mm in size) pollution is of increasing concern, because this is estimated to account for more than 92% of global plastic counts and expected to present risks to aquatic fauna and humans. Often, MPs are too small to be seen and are unevenly distributed in the environment due to differences in shape, size, and density, rendering them difficult to find and quantify in environmental samples. Hence, adequate quantitative and qualitative assessment of these materials remains scarce, particularly in freshwaters and wastewaters that remain largely unexplored. However, both systems receive and transport different types of anthropogenic waste, including MPs, so warrant further attention for identification of mitigation strategies.

The purpose of this research was to fill gaps in knowledge of the role of freshwater rivers and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as transport vectors of MPs to the environment, and generate incisive understanding of the distribution and behaviour of MPs in these systems. These research findings are expected to be relevant to stakeholders and regulators as they can aid in the identification of priority areas for further research, monitoring, and regulation of MP pollution. Therefore, this research focussed on the abundance and distribution of MPs (60-2800 μm) in urban fresh- and wastewater systems in a river whose catchment contains a large city: the River Clyde catchment (4000 km2) in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. First, liquid fractions were sampled at eight treatment stage points within a tertiary WWTP with 184,500 population equivalents and receiving a mix of household and trade effluent. Then, sediment and water samples were collected in the recipient river, the River Clyde, upstream and downstream from the WWTP. In addition, sediment samples were collected from another nearby freshwater river, the River Kelvin, which also drains through Glasgow and the Clyde at its estuary. The overall aim of this research was to assess the extent of MP pollution in these systems and the distribution, transport, and possible fate of primary and secondary types of MPs. Microplastics were separated from their environmental matrix using the widespread protocols of density separation, hydrogen peroxide oxidation of labile organics, and filtration. Particles were identified by visual sorting followed by chemical confirmation of plastics.

Microplastics were ubiquitous and present in all water bodies in varying quantities: 161-432 MPs kg-1 in the River Kelvin tributary, <1-13 MPs L-1 in the WWTP, 1-26 MPs kg-1 in River Clyde sediment, and 0-4 MPs 24 L-1 in River Clyde water. The WWTP displayed high efficiency, removing 96% of incoming pieces, with the majority removed by the primary treatment stage. However, at least one fibre was observed in treated effluent and this may represent daily discharges of at least 12 million particles to the River Clyde from this WWTP. Total MP concentrations in sediment and water samples of the recipient river were higher in the most downstream site compared to the upstream point furthest from the effluent pipe. Fibre concentrations were higher in downstream sediment samples that may indicate some retention in rivers by sedimentation processes – this is supported by the high abundance of fibres in River Kelvin sediments. Fragments were abundant in the main river sediments in similar concentrations across upstream and downstream sites, suggesting these are more likely to be introduced from diffuse sources via surface runoff and in-stream transport. The comparable concentrations observed across sampling events for each of these systems suggest a continuous input of MPs from their source to the environment.

For further insight into the relative distribution of primary and secondary MPs and their potential sources, it is necessary to confirm material composition of these particles. A subset of specimens extracted from wastewater (5%), Clyde sediment (15%), and Clyde water (56%) were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for this assessment. Secondary MPs especially fibres were predominant, while primary MPs that have received the most media and public attention and prompted plastic and MP strategies, were lowest in concentration. Polypropylene (PP) was the most detected polymer across all analysed particles and was mainly present in the form of fibres and fragments. Polyester and nylon fibres that may be expected in high abundances in wastewater appeared absent in the WWTP in this study, although this was concluded mainly due to size limitations of the characterisation method. However, the PP fibres in wastewater could originate from sanitary products, medical applications, thermal clothing, and construction materials. This is important as fibres are often linked to washing machine effluent and currently little information from alternate sources for this type of MPs exists. In River Clyde sediment, fibres identified as polyethylene terephthalate were observed and concluded to originate mainly from fishing gear, based on combined assessment of chemical and visual properties.

Understanding the causes and significance of MP pollution is a new but expanding area of water research. It was important to share these research findings with the community and so this research was published when possible. This thesis is thus constructed from a series of published and unpublished papers.

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We have 21 wastewater treatment PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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wastewater treatment PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Advanced techniques for wastewater treatment and resource recovery, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Bioaugmentation in water/wastewater treatment to enhance the removal of micropollutants

Competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Fouling control and cleaning of membrane for water treatment

Water management-desalination and wastewater treatment, bioaugmentation to enhance biological phosphorus removal from wastewater, phd studentships - process industries: net zero – sewage sludge treatment technology for sustainable resource recovery and contaminants abatement, funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Green Energy and Wastewater Treatment Using Single-chamber Microbial Fuel Cells

Uts phd scholarship- sydney water- crcsaafe ( domestic only), tackling membrane (bio)fouling, funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Next Generation Electroactive Membranes (EMs) for Sustainable Water Purification

Analysing pfas influents to minimize environmental impact and safeguard community health, fate of microplastics in waste waters and sewage sludge used in agriculture – impacts on the terrestrial environment, microbubble coalescence in turbulence, nanobubbles for the volume and yield stress reduction of organic-laden radioactive sludges - phd, developing new generation adsorbent for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (pfas) removal.

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Showing result 1 - 5 of 299 swedish dissertations containing the words wastewater treatment .

1. Microsieving in municipal wastewater treatment : Chemically enhanced primary and tertiary treatment

Author : Janne Väänänen ; Avdelningen för kemiteknik ; [] Keywords : coagulation ; wastewater treatment ; flocculation ; microsieving ; control ; primary treatment ; tertiary treatment ; coagulation ; control ; flocculation ; microsieving ; municipal wastewater treatment ; primary treatment ; tertiary treatment ;

Abstract : Municipal wastewater treatment plants are constantly forced to make improvements. The main objectives are to reduce energy consumption, to increase the treatment capacity and to improve the effluent water quality. Microsieves in combination with chemical pretreatment can potentially fulfil these objectives. READ MORE

2. Fault Detection in Wastewater Treatment : Process Supervision to Improve Wastewater Reuse

Author : Heidi Lynn Ivan ; Monica Odlare ; Valentina Zaccaria ; Jan Skvaril ; Tiina Komulainen ; Mälardalens universitet ; [] Keywords : TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER ; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ; Wastewater treatment ; Process supervision ; Fault Detection ; Energy- and Environmental Engineering ; energi- och miljöteknik ;

Abstract : As wastewater treatment plants transition to water resource recovery facilities, the need for improved control and consequently supervision increases. Despite the large volume of research that has been performed on this topic, the use in industry is scarce. READ MORE

3. Perspectives on Biofilms for the Removal of Organic Micropollutants in Wastewater

Author : Ellen Edefell ; Avdelningen för kemiteknik ; [] Keywords : TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER ; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ; wastewater treatment ; wastewater ; biofilm ; ozonation ; activated carbon ; powdered activated carbon ; granular activated carbon ; biological degradation ; Moving bed biofilm reactor ;

Abstract : The use of biofilms to improve the removal of organic micropollutants in waste¬water treatment plants (WWTPs) has been investigated. The work is divided into two parts. In the first part, the use of biofilms for the biological degradation of micro¬pollutants was investigated. READ MORE

4. Towards application of activated carbon treatment for pharmaceutical removal in municipal wastewater

Author : Victor Kårelid ; Gen Larsson ; Gunno Renman ; Ola Svahn ; KTH ; [] Keywords : TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER ; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ; advanced wastewater treatment ; granular activated carbon ; powdered activated carbon ; municipal wastewater treatment ; pharmaceutical removal ; Bioteknologi ; Biotechnology ;

Abstract : Many pharmaceuticals are found in municipal wastewater effluents due to their persistence in the human body as well as in conventional wastewater treatment processes. This discharge to the environment can lead to adverse effects in aquatic species, such as feminization of male fish. READ MORE

5. Municipal wastewater treatment by microsieving, microfiltration and forward osmosis : Concepts and potentials

Author : TOBIAS HEY ; Avdelningen för kemiteknik ; [] Keywords : Direct membrane filtration ; electricity ; energy ; forward osmosis ; microfiltration ; microsieving ; municipal wastewater treatment ; treatment concept ; Direct membrane filtration ; Electricity ; Energy ; Forward osmosis ; Microfiltration ; Microsieving ; Municipal wastewater treatment ; Treatment concept ;

Abstract : Conventional wastewater treatment plants are designed for treating manmade wastewater (e.g., from households and industries) and to protect the environment (e.g. READ MORE

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