Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment
Abstract The presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in sewage treatment plants (STPs) remains a critical yet underexplored environmental issue. Here, we present a novel investigation into the occurrence, recovery, and characterization of nanoplastics and small-size microplastics (50–2500 nm) in raw and trea...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15504-9 |
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| author | Shaima Iskandarani Sarvajith Manjunath Rosa Busquets Lorenzo Raeli Pascal E. Saikaly Luiza C. Campos |
| author_facet | Shaima Iskandarani Sarvajith Manjunath Rosa Busquets Lorenzo Raeli Pascal E. Saikaly Luiza C. Campos |
| author_sort | Shaima Iskandarani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in sewage treatment plants (STPs) remains a critical yet underexplored environmental issue. Here, we present a novel investigation into the occurrence, recovery, and characterization of nanoplastics and small-size microplastics (50–2500 nm) in raw and treated sewage effluent from a full-scale STP (treating 4000 m3/day) operating with activated sludge. To our knowledge, this research includes the first confirmed assessment of nanoplastics in such a system and applies nano-flow cytometry to wastewater analysis for the first time globally. It is also the first study addressing micro- and nanoplastics in wastewater in Saudi Arabia, advancing plastic particle analysis in complex matrices. Particles in the 50– < 100 nm range accounted for 44% of total particles detected in STP effluents. Overall, plastic particles accounted for 16% (± 10%) of total particles within 50-2500 nm in raw sewage, increasing to 41% (± 13%) in treated effluent. This increase highlights the inefficiency of conventional treatment in fully removing plastic particles and suggests preferential removal based on size or density. The composition of a representative selection of particles was characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray. Identified polymers included polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, and polypropylene. These findings provide important insights into treated sewage composition, particularly for reuse in arid regions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-35355a9f8f06404a84f22ea02b4477d6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-35355a9f8f06404a84f22ea02b4477d62025-08-20T03:44:05ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-15504-9Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatmentShaima Iskandarani0Sarvajith Manjunath1Rosa Busquets2Lorenzo Raeli3Pascal E. Saikaly4Luiza C. Campos5Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College LondonBiological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College LondonBioscience Core Lab, KAUSTBiological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College LondonAbstract The presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in sewage treatment plants (STPs) remains a critical yet underexplored environmental issue. Here, we present a novel investigation into the occurrence, recovery, and characterization of nanoplastics and small-size microplastics (50–2500 nm) in raw and treated sewage effluent from a full-scale STP (treating 4000 m3/day) operating with activated sludge. To our knowledge, this research includes the first confirmed assessment of nanoplastics in such a system and applies nano-flow cytometry to wastewater analysis for the first time globally. It is also the first study addressing micro- and nanoplastics in wastewater in Saudi Arabia, advancing plastic particle analysis in complex matrices. Particles in the 50– < 100 nm range accounted for 44% of total particles detected in STP effluents. Overall, plastic particles accounted for 16% (± 10%) of total particles within 50-2500 nm in raw sewage, increasing to 41% (± 13%) in treated effluent. This increase highlights the inefficiency of conventional treatment in fully removing plastic particles and suggests preferential removal based on size or density. The composition of a representative selection of particles was characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray. Identified polymers included polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, and polypropylene. These findings provide important insights into treated sewage composition, particularly for reuse in arid regions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15504-9WastewaterTreated sewage effluentSewage treatment plantNano-flow cytometryConfocal Raman |
| spellingShingle | Shaima Iskandarani Sarvajith Manjunath Rosa Busquets Lorenzo Raeli Pascal E. Saikaly Luiza C. Campos Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment Scientific Reports Wastewater Treated sewage effluent Sewage treatment plant Nano-flow cytometry Confocal Raman |
| title | Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment |
| title_full | Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment |
| title_short | Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment |
| title_sort | characterization of nanoplastics and small sized microplastics in sewage treatment |
| topic | Wastewater Treated sewage effluent Sewage treatment plant Nano-flow cytometry Confocal Raman |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15504-9 |
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