Source fingerprints, process fate, and risk redistribution of microplastics in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant receiving e-waste dismantling wastewater
ID:535
Oral Presentation
2027-01-13 15:35 (China Standard Time)
Session:Session 15 - Marine Micro- and Nano-Plastics: Novel Methods, Environmental Fate and Ecological Effects
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) from industrial activities remain poorly understood, particularly in wastewater systems serving e-waste dismantling. This study investigated a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Guiyu, China, through four seasonal sampling campaigns covering two parallel treatment trains: an anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A/A/O) oxidation ditch–secondary clarification train and an A/A/O oxidation ditch–membrane bioreactor train. MPs were quantified and characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy, and their process fate, source-related fingerprints, associations with phthalate esters and organophosphate esters, and screening-level hazard redistribution were evaluated. The raw influent contained 6637.3 ± 927.4 MPs/L, substantially exceeding typical municipal WWTP levels. Both treatment trains reduced aqueous MP concentrations by 2–3 orders of magnitude, but most removed particles were transferred to sludge rather than eliminated. E-waste-related engineering polymers and angular fragments with sharp edges dominated the influent and sludge. Their co-occurrence with multiple plastic-associated organic contaminants supported an integrated polymeric, morphological, and chemical source-fingerprint inference for e-waste-related MPs. Hazard screening further indicated that treatment reduced the aqueous hazard-weighted MP burden while redistributing the dominant burden to sludge. These findings highlight the need to consider source fingerprints and sludge accumulation in assessing and controlling industrial MP pollution.
Speaker
Author
Important Dates
-
Jan 30
2026
Session / Event proposals open
-
Mar 31
2026
Session / Event proposals close
(Extended to April 7) -
Apr 30
2026
Session acceptance notifications
-
Apr 30
2026
Abstract submissions & registration open
-
Jun 30
2026
Abstract submissions close
(Extended to July 21) -
Aug 31
2026
Abstract acceptance notifications
-
Sep 15
2026
Scientific program released
-
Oct 15
2026
Early bird registration closes
-
Jan 12–15
2027
XMAS 2027
