Evaluating the Efficacy of Microplastics Filtration in Urban Water Treatment Facilities
Author : PB Sirsat
Abstract :
The widespread contamination of aquatic environments with microplastics has become a topic of global concern. As urban wastewater serves as a primary conduit for these pollutants to enter natural water bodies, evaluating the efficiency of urban water treatment facilities in eliminating microplastics is paramount. This paper embarks on a comprehensive investigation of such facilities' capabilities, with a keen focus on shedding light on their current removal rates and the challenges they face. Utilizing an integrative approach, field samples were meticulously collected from diverse wastewater treatment stages across several urban centers. Subsequent laboratory analyses employed advanced techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), to identify and quantify the microplastics. This rigorous examination provided a clear snapshot of the predominant types of microplastics present and their concentrations at each treatment stage. Further data evaluation juxtaposed the findings from multiple facilities to discern patterns, efficiencies, and potential areas of improvement. Through this rigorous exploration, the study not only charts the current landscape of microplastic pollution in urban wastewater but also gauges the robustness and potential shortcomings of conventional treatment methods in addressing this pressing environmental challenge.
Keywords :
Microplastics, filtration, urban water treatment, wastewater, pollution
