The Paradox of Microplastic Removal in WWTP: Redistribution of Micropollutants in the Environment

IF 8.1 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Current Pollution Reports Pub Date : 2025-06-03 DOI:10.1007/s40726-025-00370-w

Agata Zdarta, Guoqiang Li

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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

High amounts of microplastics (MPs) are collected and then disposed of in sewage treatment plants. This review aims to identify the effects of wastewater treatment processes on the physical and chemical properties of MPs as well as their fragmentation and ageing, which are rarely reported and have not yet been revised.

Recent Findings

The amount of microplastic particles introduced into the WWTP depends on many factors, such as the area and population, treatment processes, migration of people, and weather conditions. As a result, WWTP effluents were identified as the source of MP pollution. Selected treatment methods and chemicals used in wastewater treatment may contribute to the deterioration of MP.

Summary

The impact of individual physical, mechanical, and chemical factors on the fate of microplastics in the WWTP was analysed. In the case of preliminary and primary treatment processes, the fragmentation of MP particles is mainly affected by mechanical interactions such as physical abrasion and water shearing force. However, during tertiary treatment processes, chemical factors such as advanced oxidation processes, chlorination, and ozonation play a leading role in MP deterioration. The paradox of so-called microplastic removal in WWTPs has been highlighted, and the concept of defining wastewater treatment plants as sources of tertiary microplastic pollution has been proposed.

Graphical Abstract

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污水处理厂微塑料去除的悖论：微污染物在环境中的再分配

研究目的大量的微塑料被收集并在污水处理厂处理。这篇综述旨在确定废水处理过程对MPs物理和化学性质的影响，以及它们的破碎和老化，这些很少被报道，也尚未被修订。最近的发现进入污水处理厂的微塑料颗粒的数量取决于许多因素，如地区和人口、处理过程、人口迁移和天气条件。结果表明，污水处理厂废水是MP污染的主要来源。废水处理中使用的特定处理方法和化学品可能会导致MP的恶化。摘要分析了各个物理、机械和化学因素对污水处理厂微塑料命运的影响。在初级和初级处理过程中，MP颗粒的破碎主要受物理磨损和水剪切力等力学相互作用的影响。然而，在三级处理过程中，化学因素如高级氧化过程、氯化和臭氧化在MP恶化中起主导作用。在污水处理厂中所谓的微塑料去除的悖论已经被强调，并且已经提出了将废水处理厂定义为三级微塑料污染源的概念。图形抽象

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来源期刊

Current Pollution Reports Environmental Science-Water Science and Technology

CiteScore

12.10

自引率

1.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： Current Pollution Reports provides in-depth review articles contributed by international experts on the most significant developments in the field of environmental pollution.By presenting clear, insightful, balanced reviews that emphasize recently published papers of major importance, the journal elucidates current and emerging approaches to identification, characterization, treatment, management of pollutants and much more.