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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

Microplastics in sewage sludge: Distribution, toxicity, identification methods, and engineered technologies.

Minh Ky Nguyen¹, Mohammed Hadi², Chitsan Lin³

¹Ph.D. Program in Maritime Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan; Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Viet Nam.

|September 18, 2022

Summary

Wastewater sludge is a major source of microplastic pollution. Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) effectively remove over 99% of microplastics from wastewater, offering a promising solution to this environmental challenge.

Keywords:

Composting Ecosystems Microplastics Plasticizer Sewage sludge Toxicity

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Last Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

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Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Published on: March 21, 2025

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Chemical Engineering
Materials Science

Background:

Microplastic pollution poses a significant global environmental and health risk.
Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge is a primary carrier and source of microplastic contamination, with levels ranging from 1000 to 301,400 particles kg^-1.
Existing removal technologies include adsorption, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and membrane bioreactors (MBRs).

Purpose of the Study:

To comprehensively review the risks, transport pathways, and removal mechanisms of microplastics.
To evaluate the effectiveness of various advanced technologies for microplastic removal from wastewater and sludge.
To identify knowledge gaps in microplastic pollution research.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific literature on microplastic removal technologies.
Analysis of removal efficiencies for adsorption (e.g., magnetic biochars), AOPs (e.g., photocatalysis), biological degradation, and MBRs.
Assessment of factors influencing biological degradation and MBR performance.

Main Results:

Adsorption using novel materials like modified biochars achieved over 95% removal efficiency for polymer microspheres.
AOPs, particularly semiconductor photocatalysis, show potential for degrading microplastics via hydroxyl radicals.
Biological degradation is influenced by environmental and polymer characteristics.
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) demonstrated the highest removal efficiency, exceeding 99%, and are suitable for complex industrial wastewater.

Conclusions:

MBRs are the most effective technology for microplastic removal from wastewater and sludge, minimizing environmental contamination.
Advanced technologies like adsorption and AOPs offer viable options for specific microplastic removal scenarios.
Further research is needed to fully understand microplastic risks, transport, and optimize removal strategies.