Assessment of the Presence of Microplastics in Stabilized Sewage Sludge: Analysis Methods and Environmental Impact
Wastewater treatment processes can fragment microplastics (MPs), which may subsequently enter fertilizers applied in agricultural settings. This study aimed to quantify the occurrence of MPs in stabilized sewage sludge intended for fertilizer production. Matrix elimination was performed using an oxi...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/1 |
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| author | Jagoda Worek Kamil Kawoń Joanna Chwiej Katarzyna Berent Rosa Rego Katarzyna Styszko |
| author_facet | Jagoda Worek Kamil Kawoń Joanna Chwiej Katarzyna Berent Rosa Rego Katarzyna Styszko |
| author_sort | Jagoda Worek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Wastewater treatment processes can fragment microplastics (MPs), which may subsequently enter fertilizers applied in agricultural settings. This study aimed to quantify the occurrence of MPs in stabilized sewage sludge intended for fertilizer production. Matrix elimination was performed using an oxidative method to isolate MPs, followed by MPs separation with a saturated salt solution of appropriate density to enhance the accuracy of identification. The resulting samples were analyzed using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to provide the detailed characterization of MPs content. The highest concentrations of MPs were recorded during the months of June, July, and May, with average values of 2942, 2341, and 1746 fragments per 100 g of dry weight, respectively. The analysis revealed that fragments were the dominant morphological form, and low-density polyethylene was the most common polymer type detected. These findings underscore a significant risk of MPs re-emission into the environment through the agricultural application of fertilizers derived from sewage sludge. Such practices may lead to the introduction of between 6110 and 13,889 MPs per square meter of soil, depending on the application rates, thereby posing potential risks to soil health and the broader ecosystem. This study highlights the importance of monitoring MPs content in fertilizers derived from wastewater treatment by-products. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d1b1588db355411d896d9937864033d7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1b1588db355411d896d9937864033d72025-08-20T02:46:56ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-01151110.3390/app15010001Assessment of the Presence of Microplastics in Stabilized Sewage Sludge: Analysis Methods and Environmental ImpactJagoda Worek0Kamil Kawoń1Joanna Chwiej2Katarzyna Berent3Rosa Rego4Katarzyna Styszko5AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, 30-059 Kraków, PolandAGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, 30-059 Kraków, PolandAGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, 30-059 Kraków, PolandAGH University of Krakow, Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, 30-059 Kraków, PolandDepartment of Chemistry, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalAGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, 30-059 Kraków, PolandWastewater treatment processes can fragment microplastics (MPs), which may subsequently enter fertilizers applied in agricultural settings. This study aimed to quantify the occurrence of MPs in stabilized sewage sludge intended for fertilizer production. Matrix elimination was performed using an oxidative method to isolate MPs, followed by MPs separation with a saturated salt solution of appropriate density to enhance the accuracy of identification. The resulting samples were analyzed using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to provide the detailed characterization of MPs content. The highest concentrations of MPs were recorded during the months of June, July, and May, with average values of 2942, 2341, and 1746 fragments per 100 g of dry weight, respectively. The analysis revealed that fragments were the dominant morphological form, and low-density polyethylene was the most common polymer type detected. These findings underscore a significant risk of MPs re-emission into the environment through the agricultural application of fertilizers derived from sewage sludge. Such practices may lead to the introduction of between 6110 and 13,889 MPs per square meter of soil, depending on the application rates, thereby posing potential risks to soil health and the broader ecosystem. This study highlights the importance of monitoring MPs content in fertilizers derived from wastewater treatment by-products.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/1microplasticsstabilized sewage sludgeFTIR microscopyATR-FTIRconfocal microscopy |
| spellingShingle | Jagoda Worek Kamil Kawoń Joanna Chwiej Katarzyna Berent Rosa Rego Katarzyna Styszko Assessment of the Presence of Microplastics in Stabilized Sewage Sludge: Analysis Methods and Environmental Impact Applied Sciences microplastics stabilized sewage sludge FTIR microscopy ATR-FTIR confocal microscopy |
| title | Assessment of the Presence of Microplastics in Stabilized Sewage Sludge: Analysis Methods and Environmental Impact |
| title_full | Assessment of the Presence of Microplastics in Stabilized Sewage Sludge: Analysis Methods and Environmental Impact |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of the Presence of Microplastics in Stabilized Sewage Sludge: Analysis Methods and Environmental Impact |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of the Presence of Microplastics in Stabilized Sewage Sludge: Analysis Methods and Environmental Impact |
| title_short | Assessment of the Presence of Microplastics in Stabilized Sewage Sludge: Analysis Methods and Environmental Impact |
| title_sort | assessment of the presence of microplastics in stabilized sewage sludge analysis methods and environmental impact |
| topic | microplastics stabilized sewage sludge FTIR microscopy ATR-FTIR confocal microscopy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/1 |
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