Emission of primary microplastics in mainland China: Invisible but not Negligible

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teng Wang ◽  
Baojie Li ◽  
Xinqing Zou
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Emission Inventory ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Synthetic Fiber ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Ocean Science

<p><strong>Emission of primary microplastics in mainland China: Invisible but not Negligible</strong></p><p> </p><p>Teng Wang <sup>1,3</sup>, Baojie Li <sup>2,3*</sup> , Xinqing Zou<sup>3*</sup></p><p><sup>1</sup> College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098</p><p><sup>2</sup> School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044</p><p><sup>3 </sup>School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023</p><p>  </p><p><strong>Abstract: </strong></p><p>Primary microplastics are mostly produced as part of the daily plastic product use. The emission process is often invisible but poses potential ecological hazards. Thus, primary microplastics deserve public attention. Due to China's huge population base and its rapid economic development, primary microplastics emissions are of both regional and global significance. This study is the first to establish the emission inventory of primary microplastics in mainland China. It was estimated that the primary microplastic waste from mainland China amounts to 737.29 Gg, and one-sixth of this amount entered the aquatic environment in 2015. The highest proportion of this waste was attributable to tire dust and synthetic fiber, accounting for 53.91% and 28.77% of the total respectively, in mainland China. The primary microplastics emissions mainly depend on the population, followed by the level of economic development. It was roughly estimated that 538 g of microplastics is produced by each person in China. At the grid scale, the spatial difference in the total primary microplastics emissions in mainland China primarily depends on the population density distribution and transportation network. We studied the entire life cycle of several sources of microplastics, from production to discharge into the aquatic environment. We suggested different control measures under different nodes. Increasing microplastics treatment in sewage treatment plants should be a short-term viable way to achieve some measure of reduction in their entry to the environment in mainland China. Our research can not only raise public awareness about primary microplastics, but can also guide the development of environmental policies to reduce plastic pollution.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Primary microplastics; Emission inventory; Mainland China; Sewage treatment plants</p>

Sludge Treatment and Disposal Systems for Rural Areas in Germany

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 159-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eberhard Steinle
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Treatment Needs ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Sewage Purification ◽  
Treatment And Disposal ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

First an overview of the systems currently in use and being discussed for sludge treatment is presented will) particular emphasis on distinguishing between the object of the system (conditioning objective of the various phases in the system) and a system concept (concept of various phases of the system in sequence to attain the disposal objective). More detailed information is given as to the salient systems as used with smaller sewage treatment plants in rural areas, such as digestion, dewatering, hygienization, composting and thermal drying. A further item of discussion is how sludge treatment influences the sewage treatment process. For the critical emissions (nitrogen, phosphorus) demanded in Germany, and thus for the degree of sewage treatment required, the load of the sewage treatment system resulting from sludge treatment needs to be taken into account. Accordingly, operation of sludge treatment and sewage purification must always be harmonized. The extent of these return loads also limits the spatial centralization of the system phases; this applies in particular to smaller sewage treatment plants in rural areas. In conclusion, an attempt is made to present a perspective for the agricultural utilization of such sludge in Germany. Since the critical values for emissions have been further tightened by new regulations, thus considerably elevating the associated sophistication of monitoring techniques, it is to be expected that the use of sewage sludge in agriculture will also be further reduced in rural areas, especially since public awareness of emission control has considerably reduced the acceptance of sewage sludge as fertilizer.

scholarly journals Microplastics pollution in China water ecosystems: a review of the abundance, characteristics, fate, risk and removal

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 1495-1508
Author(s):  
Shuyuan Tang ◽  
Ling Gao ◽  
Hongze Gao ◽  
Zongshi Chen ◽  
Donglei Zou
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Water Ecosystems

Abstract Microplastics pollution has been a focus for researchers in recent years worldwide, for the large quantities of plastics in production and the resistance to degradation. China's microplastics pollution attracts much attention because of its long coastline, large population and rapid economic development. This review addresses the widespread microplastics pollution in China's water ecosystems through available research results from recent years and analyses the abundance, characteristics, fate and risk of microplastics. This paper also discusses the current treatment technology of microplastics. The conclusions show that estuaries are severely affected by microplastics pollution; the accumulation of microplastics and adsorption of contaminants by microplastics could also lead to serious risks besides ingestion; there are few technologies that can efficiently remove microplastics pollution in sewage treatment plants. Finally, this review suggests directions for future research trends.

scholarly journals Analysis of Microplastics Released from Plain Woven Classified by Yarn Types during Washing and Drying

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 2988
Author(s):  
Sola Choi ◽  
Miyeon Kwon ◽  
Myung-Ja Park ◽  
Juhea Kim
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Woven Fabric ◽  
Minimum Length ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Strict Control ◽  
Filtration System ◽  
Washing Process ◽  
Different Types

Microplastics reach the aquatic environment through wastewater. Larger debris is removed in sewage treatment plants, but filters are not explicitly designed to retain sewage sludge’s microplastic or terrestrial soils. Therefore, the effective quantification of filtration system to mitigate microplastics is needed. To mitigate microplastics, various devices have been designed, and the removal efficiency of devices was compared. However, this study focused on identifying different fabrics that shed fewer microplastics. Therefore, in this study, fabric-specific analyses of microplastics of three different fabrics during washing and drying processes were studied. Also, the change in the generation of microplastics for each washing process of standard washing was investigated. The amount of microplastics released according to the washing process was analyzed, and the collected microplastics’ weight, length, and diameter were measured and recorded. According to the different types of yarn, the amount of microplastic fibers produced during washing and drying varied. As the washing processes proceed, the amount of microplastics gradually decreased. The minimum length (>40 µm) of micro-plastics generated were in plain-woven fabric. These results will be helpful to mitigate microplastics in the production of textiles and in selecting built-in filters, and focusing on the strict control of other parameters will be useful for the development of textile-based filters, such as washing bags.

scholarly journals Wet Peroxide Oxidation of Paracetamol Using Acid Activated and Fe/Co-Pillared Clay Catalysts Prepared from Natural Clays

Catalysts ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Santos Silva ◽  
Marzhan Seitovna Kalmakhanova ◽  
Bakytgul Kabykenovna Massalimova ◽  
Juliana G. Sgorlon ◽  
Diaz de Tuesta Jose Luis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Pillared Clay ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Peroxide Oxidation ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Wet Peroxide Oxidation ◽  
Initial Ph ◽  
Natural Clays ◽  
Clay Catalysts

Many pharmaceuticals have been recently identified at trace levels worldwide in the aquatic environment. Among them, the highly consumed paracetamol (PCM), an analgesic and antipyretic drug, is largely being accumulated in the aquatic environment due to inefficient removal by conventional sewage treatment plants. This work deals with the treatment of PCM, used as a model pharmaceutical contaminant of emerging concern, by catalytic wet peroxide oxidation using clay-based materials as catalysts. The catalysts were prepared from natural clays, extracted from four different deposits using acid-activated treatment, calcination, and pillarization with Fe and Co. Pillared clays show the highest catalytic activity owing to the presence of metals, allowing to remove completely the PCM after 6 h under the following operating conditions: CPCM = 100 mg L−1, CH2O2 = 472 mg L−1, Ccat = 2.5 g L−1, initial pH = 3.5 and T = 80 °C. The prepared materials presented high stability since leached iron was measured at the end of reaction and found to be lower than 0.1 mg L−1.

Changes of microbial indices of water quality in the Vistula and Brda rivers as a result of sewage treatment plant operation

2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Walczak
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Plant Operation ◽  
Treated Sewage ◽  
Microbiological Parameters ◽  
Microbial Indices

Changes of microbial indices of water quality in the Vistula and Brda rivers as a result of sewage treatment plant operationThis paper reports the results of studies of microbiological changes in the water quality of the Vistula and Brda rivers after the opening of sewage treatment plants in Bydgoszcz. The study involved determining the microbiological parameters of water quality. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the quality of the water in both rivers had improved decidedly after the opening of the plants, although an increased number of individual groups of microorganisms was found at the treated sewage outlet from one of the plants.

Spatial and Temporal Water Quality Trends in Severn Sound, Georgian Bay, since the Introduction of Phosphorus Control Guidelines: Nutrients and Phytoplankton, 1973 to 1991

1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.F. Gemza
Keyword(s):  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Euphotic Zone ◽  
Water Clarity ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Phosphorus Levels

Abstract Severn Sound continues to exhibit signs of eutrophication despite initial identification of the problem in 1969 and the construction of several sewage treatment plants since then. In general, improvements in trophic state indicators have been marginal, suggesting that the sewage treatment plants have had limited success in controlling phosphorus concentrations. These discharges likely contributed to the increased total phosphorus levels and consequently the higher phytoplankton densities of the nearshore waters. Phytoplankton biovolumes were on average one order of magnitude higher than in the open waters of Lake Huron with mean summer biovolumes as high as 8.0 mm/L. Algal biovolumes were most dense in Penetang Bay, which experienced limited exchange with the main waters of the sound. No significant long-term trends were observed. Water clarity was declining significantly, however, at a rate of -0.60 to -0.78 m/year throughout the sound except in Sturgeon Bay. Total phosphorus levels were highly variable from year to year; however, concentrations from a 20-year perspective were declining in the open waters at a rate of 0.70 µg/L/year, but response was limited in nearshore areas. In Sturgeon Bay, mean annual euphotic zone total phosphorus as well as soluble reactive phosphorus levels declined by as much as 50% following the construction of a sewage treatment plant with tertiary treatment. Phytoplankton genera typical of eutrophic waters continued to dominate the algal assemblage but members indicative of mesotrophic conditions have become apparent in some areas of the sound.

Presence of Phenolic Compounds in Sewage, Effluent and Sludge from Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants

1982 ◽  
Vol 14 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 143-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
F B DeWalle ◽  
D A Kalman ◽  
R Dills ◽  
D Norman ◽  
E S K Chian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Municipal Sewage ◽  
Sewage Effluent ◽  
Capillary Gc ◽  
Digested Sludge ◽  
Calculated Concentration ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Anaerobically Digested Sludge ◽  
Final Effluent ◽  
Dimethyl Phenol

A total of 25 municipal sewage treatment plants were sampled, 10 of which were resampled, to determine the quantity of phenolics in the sewage, final effluent and the anaerobically digested sludge using capillary GC/MS/DS/techniques. The study noted in decreasing order of frequency in raw sewage: phenol, pentachloro-phenol, dimethyl phenol, 3-methyl, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichloro-phenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2-nitrophenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dinitro-6-methylphenol and 2,4-dinitrophenol. The maximum concentration of phenol in sewage and sludge was 2800 ppb and 4460 respectively, while similar values for pentachlorophenol were 58 and 1200 ppb. Statistically calculated concentration reductions for phenol and dimethyl phenol were generally greater than noted for tri- and pentachlorophenol. Low decreases or increases were noted for monochlorophenol and especially for dichlorophenol as a result of the chloronation of the final effluent.

Examples for the Upgrading of Existing Activated Sludge Plants for Nutrient Removal

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 113-121
Author(s):  
W. Maier
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Effluent Standards ◽  
Near Future

In view of the new effluent standards in West Germany, including nitrification and phosphorus elimination, many of the existing sewage treatment plants will have to be rebuilt or expanded. Another demand which will have to be dealt with in the near future is denitrification. Under consideration of the large BOD5-loads which were taken into account when designing the plants, many of them nitrify during the summer or can be easily converted to operate with nitrification. Principles for planning the upgrading of such plants have been laid down in order to achieve the required effluent concentrations. The application of these principles is demonstrated with examples of upgraded plants.

Operation Experiences with Biological Phosphorus Removal at the Sewage Treatment Plants of Berlin (West)

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 133-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Peter ◽  
F. Sarfert
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Chemical Precipitation ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Treatment Results ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
The Given ◽  
Biological Phosphorus

In investigations concerning sludge bulking in Berlin enhanced biological phosphorus removal was first observed unexpectedly. Because since 1986 an officially preset limit of 2 mg TP/l must be kept in all Berlin wastewater discharges it was decided to explore the capabilities of the observed mechanism under the specific circumstances of the exciting two large treatment plants in Ruhleben (240,000 m3/d) and Marienfelde (100,000 m3/d). For this purpose some of the existing units at both plants were equipped with anaerobic zones which were generated mainly by process modifications. Additionally stage one of the Ruhleben plant was altered completely in order to investigate the combination of biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal as a special pilot study in three parallel trains. The research activities and treatment results gained in each of the two stages of the Ruhleben and in the Marienfelde plant are reported in detail. For example BOD-related phosphorus removal rates were obtained ranging from 2.3-4.5 mg TP per 100 mg BOD removed. It must be stressed that all examinations were performed on full-scale conditions. At present the given limit of 2 mg TP/l in the Ruhleben plant is met without any chemical precipitation at least on average. From the beginning biological phosphorus removal will be integrated into further projected extensions.

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