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Insights on Microplastic Contamination from Municipal and Textile Industry Effluents and Their Removal Using a
Solange Magalhães1, Daniel Paciência1, João M M Rodrigues2
1University of Coimbra, CERES, Department of Chemical Engineering, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal.
Polymers
|October 16, 2024
Summary
Textile industry effluents are a major source of microplastics (MPs). A novel bio-based flocculant effectively removes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs from wastewater, reducing aquatic contamination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Plastic pollution, particularly microplastics (MPs), contaminates aquatic environments.
- Textile industry effluents are a significant source of MPs.
- Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) aim to mitigate pollution but can still release MPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare microplastic contamination in textile industry effluents versus municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents.
- To identify the types and characteristics of MPs present in these effluents.
- To develop and test a novel bio-based flocculant for microplastic removal.
Main Methods:
- Effluent sampling from textile industries and a municipal WWTP.
- Laser diffraction spectroscopy for MP size analysis.
- Optical and fluorescence microscopy for MP morphology and type identification.
- Electrophoresis for surface charge analysis.
- Development and testing of a cationic cellulose derivative bio-flocculant.
Main Results:
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide were dominant MPs in textile effluents; PET was predominant in municipal WWTP effluents.
- Municipal WWTPs showed higher MP removal efficiency (71%) than textile industries (55%) but contributed more to overall pollution.
- The novel bio-based flocculant efficiently flocculated PET MPs.
Conclusions:
- Textile industry effluents represent a critical pathway for microplastic release into aquatic systems.
- Despite higher removal rates, municipal WWTPs can be significant contributors to microplastic pollution.
- A novel, wood-derived bio-flocculant offers a promising solution for removing PET microplastics from wastewater.
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