Microplastics in contaminated water : comparison of methods of analysis and treatment
Otitoju, John Oluwashola (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121637171
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121637171
Tiivistelmä
Microplastics (MP) have emerged as a significant environmental pollutant due to their widespread presence in air, soil and particularly the aquatic ecosystems.
They originate from the degradation of larger plastics and from different direct sources as such as cosmetics, clothing and industrial processes. Their persist- ence and small size makes them difficult to extract during wastewater treatment and thus, they accumulate in rivers, lakes, and oceans posing serious risks to hu- man and aquatic life.
This study provides a comprehensive review of existing literature on MP con- tamination in wastewater focusing on sampling, extraction, identification and quantification techniques respectively. It examines the efficiency of various treatment and extraction methods including density-based separation methods, digestion-based, filtration and sieving, coagulation flocculation, membrane filtra- tion and magnetic approaches. The review also discusses the sources, accu- mulation, and environmental effects of MP’s, emphasizing their ability to infilt- rate water systems through household waste, industrial discharge, and storm water run-off.
Despite ongoing research and the adoption of advanced sampling and removal techniques, wastewater treatment plants still struggle to eliminate MP com- pletely. The findings highlight that no single extraction method is universally su- perior, so there is a need for a combination of methods for maximum results. The study concludes that while significant progress has been made in under- standing and analysing microplastics, there remains a pressing need for im- proved, eco-friendly, and cost effective methods for their detection and removal to protect both environmental and public health. Future research should focus on developing cost-effective alternatives to hazardous chemicals and using strong statistical validation will better improve MP analysis
They originate from the degradation of larger plastics and from different direct sources as such as cosmetics, clothing and industrial processes. Their persist- ence and small size makes them difficult to extract during wastewater treatment and thus, they accumulate in rivers, lakes, and oceans posing serious risks to hu- man and aquatic life.
This study provides a comprehensive review of existing literature on MP con- tamination in wastewater focusing on sampling, extraction, identification and quantification techniques respectively. It examines the efficiency of various treatment and extraction methods including density-based separation methods, digestion-based, filtration and sieving, coagulation flocculation, membrane filtra- tion and magnetic approaches. The review also discusses the sources, accu- mulation, and environmental effects of MP’s, emphasizing their ability to infilt- rate water systems through household waste, industrial discharge, and storm water run-off.
Despite ongoing research and the adoption of advanced sampling and removal techniques, wastewater treatment plants still struggle to eliminate MP com- pletely. The findings highlight that no single extraction method is universally su- perior, so there is a need for a combination of methods for maximum results. The study concludes that while significant progress has been made in under- standing and analysing microplastics, there remains a pressing need for im- proved, eco-friendly, and cost effective methods for their detection and removal to protect both environmental and public health. Future research should focus on developing cost-effective alternatives to hazardous chemicals and using strong statistical validation will better improve MP analysis