Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis
Published on: July 1, 2017
Fate, characteristics, and potential threat of microplastics in sludge under various dewatering treatments
Jialin Liang1, Yu Zhang1, Jiaqi Zhang1
1College of Resources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory Lingnan Specialty Food Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs), an emerging environmental pollutant, have been found in wastewater sludge with increasing frequency. Their occurrence, surface properties, and adsorption characteristics may be altered during various sludge dewatering processes. This study explored and compared the performance of four types of sludge dewatering processes (FeCl3 + CaO, Fe2+ + H2O2 + CaO, Fe2+ + peroxymonosulfate (PMS) + CaO, and Fe2+ + CaO2 + CaO) in improving sludge dewaterability, the fate and characteristics of MPs during treatments, and their effect on the adsorption of heavy metals by aged MPs. Results showed that iron-based advanced oxidation processes (Fe-AOPs) indicated superior performance in improving sludge dewaterability compared to conventional FeCl3 + CaO treatment, as evidenced by the water content of sludge cakes being reduced to below 54.0 % (w/t) in Fe-AOPs. Fe2+ + PMS + CaO and FeCl3 + CaO effectively reduced MPs concentrations in both dewatered sludge and filtrate, thereby mitigating potential environmental risks. The potential risk associated with heavy metal adsorption onto treated MPs was greater for Fe2+ + PMS + CaO than for FeCl3 + CaO. In summary, Fe2+ + PMS + CaO offered a feasible method for sludge dewatering and MPs removal, particularly suited to sludge with low heavy metal concentrations. FeCl3 + CaO treatment effectively mitigated co-toxicity between heavy metals and MPs, proving more suitable for sludge with high heavy metal content. This study offers new insights into the selection of appropriate sludge treatments regarding MPs.
Related Concept Videos
Plasticizers
Plasticizers function by using surface-active agents to create repulsive electrostatic forces between cement particles. This dispersion enhances the concrete's...
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Bioplastics
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics

