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Biao W, Hashim NA, Rabuni MFB, Lide O, Ullah A. Microplastics in aquatic systems: An in-depth review of current and potential water treatment processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142546. [PMID: 38849101 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Plastic products, despite their undeniable utility in modern life, pose significant environmental challenges, particularly when it comes to recycling. A crucial concern is the pervasive introduction of microplastics (MPs) into aquatic ecosystems, with deleterious effects on marine organisms. This review presents a detailed examination of the methodologies developed for MPs removal in water treatment systems. Initially, investigating the most common types of MPs in wastewater, subsequently presenting methodologies for their precise identification and quantification in aquatic environments. Instruments such as scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and Raman tweezers stand out as powerful tools for studying MPs. The discussion then transitions to the exploration of both existing and emergent techniques for MPs removal in wastewater treatment plants and drinking water treatment plants. This includes a description of the core mechanisms that drive these techniques, with an emphasis on the latest research developments in MPs degradation. Present MPs removal methodologies, ranging from physical separation to chemical and biological adsorption and degradation, offer varied advantages and constraints. Addressing the MPs contamination problem in its entirety remains a significant challenge. In conclusion, the review offers a succinct overview of each technique and forwards recommendations for future research, highlighting the pressing nature of this environmental dilemma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Biao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - N Awanis Hashim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Sustainable Process Engineering Centre (SPEC), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Mohamad Fairus Bin Rabuni
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Sustainable Process Engineering Centre (SPEC), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Ong Lide
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Aubaid Ullah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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2
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Maw MM, Boontanon N, Aung HKZZ, Jindal R, Fujii S, Visvanathan C, Boontanon SK. Microplastics in wastewater and sludge from centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment plants: Effects of treatment systems and microplastic characteristics. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142536. [PMID: 38844106 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Domestic wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a vital role in limiting the release of microplastics (MP) into the environment. This study examined MP removal efficiency from five centralized and four decentralized domestic WWTPs in Bangkok, Thailand. MP concentrations in wastewater and sludge were comparable between centralized and decentralized WWTPs, despite these decentralized WWTPs serving smaller populations and having limited treatment capacity. The elimination of MPs ranged from 50 to 96.8% in centralized WWTPs and 14.2-53.6% in decentralized WWTPs. It is noted that the retained MPs concentrations in sludge ranged from 20,000 to 228,100 MP/kg dry weight. The prevalence of synthetic fibers and fragments could be attributed to their pathways from laundry or car tires, and the accidental release of a variety of plastic wastes ended up in investigated domestic WWTPs. Removal of MPs between the centralized and decentralized WWTPs was influenced by several impact factors including initial MP concentrations, longer retention times, MP fragmentation, and variations of MP concentrations in sludge leading to different activated sludge process configurations. Sewage sludge has become a primary location for the accumulation of incoming microplastics in WWTPs. The MPs entering and leaving each unit process were varied due to the unique characteristics of MPs, and their different treatment efficiencies. While the extended hydraulic retention period in decentralized WWTPs decreased the MP removal efficacy, the centralized WWTP with the two-stage activated sludge process achieved the highest MP removal efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Me Me Maw
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73710, Thailand
| | - Narin Boontanon
- Research Center and Technology, Development for Environmental Innovation, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73710, Thailand
| | - Humm Kham Zan Zan Aung
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73710, Thailand
| | - Ranjna Jindal
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73710, Thailand
| | - Shigeo Fujii
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Chettiyappan Visvanathan
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73710, Thailand
| | - Suwanna Kitpati Boontanon
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73710, Thailand; Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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3
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Zhuang L, Zhang Y, Xue Y, Ren Y, He J, Sun H. Influence of ongoing discharge from multiple wastewater treatment plants on microplastic patterns in small-scale receiving rivers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:172880. [PMID: 38692310 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
As widely acknowledged, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) stand as significant contributors to the presence of microplastics in surface water. Nonetheless, there exists a notable research gap regarding the extent of potential pollution resulting from the concurrent and uninterrupted discharges originating from multiple WWTPs into small-scale receiving water bodies. This study endeavors to address this knowledge deficit by conducting a thorough investigation into the prevalence of microplastics in surface water. The research encompasses seven distinct locations within the Changzhou section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and the effluent of three WWTPs situated along the tributary. The results indicate differences in the distribution of microplastics in surface waters of mainstream and tributaries. While the microplastic abundance and composition showed little variation along the main stream, the tributaries displayed an overall increasing trend in microplastic abundance from upstream to downstream. Notably, the major contributors to this increase were fragments, fiber particles, and microplastics with particle sizes ranging from 100 to 300 μm. Considering that the primary distinction between the tributaries and the mainstream is the presence of the three WWTPs along the tributaries, the study conducted a correlation analysis between river surface water and effluents from these plants. The results indicated a stronger correlation between the tributaries and the effluents, suggesting that WWTPs are one of the primary factors contributing to the elevated levels of microplastics in the tributaries. Finally, a comparative analysis of microplastic abundance in the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal's Changzhou section and other regions was conducted. The findings revealed that the microplastic pollution level in the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal's Changzhou section is higher than that in most other rivers. Therefore, the issue of microplastic pollution in the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal's Changzhou section warrants our attention, particularly with regard to the effectiveness of microplastic removal by the WWTPs along its course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhuang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Yunian Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Yingang Xue
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China.
| | - Yanfang Ren
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Junyu He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Haohao Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China.
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4
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Carnevale Miino M, Galafassi S, Zullo R, Torretta V, Rada EC. Microplastics removal in wastewater treatment plants: A review of the different approaches to limit their release in the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172675. [PMID: 38670366 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
In last 10 years, the interest about the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has strongly grown. Wastewaters function as a carrier for MPs contamination from source to the aquatic environment, so the knowledge of the fate of this emerging contaminant in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a priority. This work aims to review the presence of MPs in the influent wastewater (WW) and the effectiveness of the treatments of conventional WWTPs. Moreover, the negative impacts of MPs on the management of the processes have been also discussed. The work also focuses on the possible approaches to tackle MPs contamination enhancing the effectiveness of the WWTPs. Based on literature results, despite WWTPs are not designed for MPs removal from WW, they can effectively remove the MPs (up to 99 % in some references). Nevertheless, they normally act as "hotspots" of MPs contamination considering the remaining concentration of MPs in WWTPs' effluents can be several orders of magnitude higher than receiving waters. Moreover, MPs removed from WW are concentrated in sewage sludge (potentially >65 % of MPs entering the WWTP) posing a concern in case of the potential reuse as a soil improver. This work aims to present a paradigm shift intending WWTPs as key barriers for environmental protection. Approaches for increasing effectiveness against MPs have been discussed in order to define the optimal point(s) of the WWTP in which these technologies should be located. The need of a future legislation about MPs in water and sludge is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Carnevale Miino
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
| | - Silvia Galafassi
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Largo Tonolli 50, 28920 Verbania, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy.
| | - Rosa Zullo
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Largo Tonolli 50, 28920 Verbania, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Torretta
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
| | - Elena Cristina Rada
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
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Umeh OR, Ophori DU, Ibo EM, Eke CI, Oyen TP. Groundwater systems under siege: The silent invasion of microplastics and cock-tails worldwide. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124305. [PMID: 38830527 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) contamination is one of the significant escalating environmental concerns worldwide, and this stems from the increasing production and unlawful disposal of plastic materials. Regretfully, the synthesis of plastic materials is expected to triple in the upcoming years. Nevertheless, MPs pollution in marine, aquatic, and terrestrial settings has received much attention, unlike in groundwater systems. This study exhaustively reviewed varying degrees of recent publications in various search engines and provided a detailed state of current knowledge and research progress vis-à-vis MPs and cock-tail pollution in groundwater systems. Evidently, groundwater sources are severely contaminated as a result of growing anthropogenic activities and vertical movement of MPs and cock-tails from the atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic environments, however, fewer researchers have fixated their attention on estimating the occurrence of MPs in groundwater resources, while sufficient information regarding their sources, sampling methods, abundance, transport pathways, fate, modeling techniques, appropriate and adequate data, sorption properties, separation from other environmental media, toxicity, and remedial measures are extensively lacking. In addition, MPs may combine with other toxic emerging contaminants to improve migration and toxicity; however, no research has been conducted to fully understand cock-tail migration mechanisms and impacts in groundwater systems. Over time, groundwater may be regarded as the primary sink for MPs, if effective actions are neglected. Overall, this study detected a lack of concern and innumerable voids in this field; hence, vital and nascent research gaps were identified for immediate, advanced, and interdisciplinary research investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odera R Umeh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA.
| | - Duke U Ophori
- Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA.
| | - Eziafakaego M Ibo
- Department of Environmental Management, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute, Ibadan, Oyo State, 200002, Nigeria.
| | - Chima I Eke
- Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA.
| | - Toritseju P Oyen
- Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA.
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Cao NDT, Vo DHT, Pham MDT, Nguyen VT, Nguyen TB, Le LT, Mukhtar H, Nguyen HV, Visvanathan C, Bui XT. Microplastics contamination in water supply system and treatment processes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171793. [PMID: 38513854 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Due to global demand, millions of tons of plastics have been widely consumed, resulting in the widespread entry of vast amounts of microplastic particles into the environment. The presence of microplastics (MPs) in water supplies, including bottled water, has undergone systematic review, assessing the potential impacts of MPs on humans through exposure assessment. The main challenges associated with current technologies lie in their ability to effectively treat and completely remove MPs from drinking and supply water. While the risks posed by MPs upon entering the human body have not yet been fully revealed, there is a predicted certainty of negative impacts. This review encompasses a range of current technologies, spanning from basic to advanced treatments and varying in scale. However, given the frequent detection of MPs in drinking and bottled water, it becomes imperative to implement comprehensive management strategies to address this issue effectively. Consequently, integrating current technologies with management options such as life-cycle assessment, circular economy principles, and machine learning is crucial to eliminating this pervasive problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc-Dan-Thanh Cao
- Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh (VNU-HCM), Linh Trung ward, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Dieu-Hien Thi Vo
- Institute of Applied Technology and Sustainable Development, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Mai-Duy-Thong Pham
- Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh (VNU-HCM), Linh Trung ward, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Van-Truc Nguyen
- Faculty of Environment, Saigon University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Thanh-Binh Nguyen
- College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, No. 142, Haijhuan Road, Nanzih District, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan
| | - Linh-Thy Le
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (UMP HCMC), 217 Hong Bang street, District 5th, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Hussnain Mukhtar
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Huu-Viet Nguyen
- Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh (VNU-HCM), Linh Trung ward, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Chettiyappan Visvanathan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Xuan-Thanh Bui
- Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh (VNU-HCM), Linh Trung ward, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam.
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7
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Zhou Z, Song X, Dong D, Li X, Sun Y, Wang L, Huang Z, Li M. Occurrence, distribution and sources of microplastics in typical marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) in China: The critical role of RAS operating time and microfilter. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 255:121476. [PMID: 38503181 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Industrial mariculture, a vital means of providing high quality protein to humans, is a potential source of microplastics (MPs) which have recently received increasing attention. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in feed, source water and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with long & short operating times as well as in fish from typical industrial mariculture farms in China. Results showed that microplastics occurred in all samples with the average concentration of 3.53 ± 1.39 particles/g, 0.70 ± 0.17 particles/L, 1.53 ± 0.21 particles/L and 2.21 ± 0.62 particles/individual for feed, source water, RAS and fish, respectively. Microplastics were mainly fiber in shape, blue in color and 20-500 μm in size. Compared with short operated RAS, long operating time led to higher microplastic concentration in RAS, especially that of microplastic in 20-500 μm, granular and blue. Regardless of short or long operating time, microplastics in RAS mainly gathered in culture tank, tank before microfilter and fixed-bed biological filter, and the microfilter removed efficiently the microplastic with the shape of film, granule, fragment as well as those with size > 1000 μm. As for the polymer types, polyamide (PA, 71.9 %) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 65.7 %) dominated in feed and source water, respectively, which may be the reason for the high proportion of PA (38.8 % and 26.4 %) and PET (31.8 % and 30.2 %) in RAS and fish. In addition, polypropylene (PP) was also detected in RAS (18.7 %) and fish (22.6 %), indicating that other plastic facilities such as PP brush carrier also made a contribution. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model revealed three sources of MP in RAS, namely plastic facilities, industrial sewage and plastic packaging products. Our results provided a theoretical basis for the management of MP in RAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhou
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Xiefa Song
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China.
| | - Dengpan Dong
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Xian Li
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Yue Sun
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Liwei Wang
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Zhitao Huang
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Thormøhlengate 53 D, Bergen 5006, Norway
| | - Meng Li
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China.
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Kong W, Jalalah M, Alsareii SA, Harraz FA, Almadiy AA, Thakur N, Salama ES. Occurrence, characteristics, and microbial community of microplastics in anaerobic sludge of wastewater treatment plants. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123370. [PMID: 38244902 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) usually contain microplastics (MPs) due to daily influents of domestic and municipal wastewater. Thus, the WWTPs act as a point source of MPs distribution in the environment due to their incapability to remove MPs completely. In this study, MPs occurrence and distribution in anaerobic sludge from WWTPs in different regions (Kaifeng "KHP", Jinan "JSP", and Lanzhou "LGP") were studied. Followed by MPs identification by microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum. The microbial communities associated with anaerobic sludge and MPs were also explored. The results showed that MPs concentrations were 16.5, 38.5, and 17.2 particles/g of total solids (TS) and transparent MPs accounted for 49.1%, 58.5%, and 48.3% in KHP, JSP, and LGP samples, respectively. Fibers represented the most common shape of MPs in KHP (49.1%), JSP (56.0%), and LGP (69.0%). The FTIR spectroscopy indicated the predominance of polyethylene polymer in 1-5 mm MPs. The Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Planctomycetes were the abundant phyla in all anaerobic sludge. The bacterial genera in KHP and LGP were similar, in which Caldilinea (>23%), Terrimonas (>10%), and Ferruginibacter (>7%) formed the core bacterial genera. While Rhodococcus (15.3%) and Rhodoplanes (10.9%) were dominating in JSP. The archaeal genera Methanosaeta (>69%) and Methanobrevibacter (>10%) were abundant in KHP and LGP sludge. While Methanomethylovorans accounted for 90% of JSP. Acetyltransferase and hydratase were the major bacterial enzymes, while reductase was the key archaeal enzyme in all anaerobic sludge. This study provided the baseline for MPs distribution, characterization, and MPs associated microbes in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Kong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, PR China
| | - Mohammed Jalalah
- Promising Centre for Sensors and Electronic Devices (PCSED), Advanced Materials and Nano-Research Centre, Najran University, P.O. Box: 1988, Najran, 11001, Saudi Arabia; Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Najran University, Najran, 11001, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saeed A Alsareii
- Promising Centre for Sensors and Electronic Devices (PCSED), Advanced Materials and Nano-Research Centre, Najran University, P.O. Box: 1988, Najran, 11001, Saudi Arabia; Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, 11001, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farid A Harraz
- Promising Centre for Sensors and Electronic Devices (PCSED), Advanced Materials and Nano-Research Centre, Najran University, P.O. Box: 1988, Najran, 11001, Saudi Arabia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts at Sharurah, Najran University, Sharurah, 68342, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrhman A Almadiy
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Najran University, 1988, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nandini Thakur
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, PR China
| | - El-Sayed Salama
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, PR China.
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Gupta N, Parsai T, Kulkarni HV. A review on the fate of micro and nano plastics (MNPs) and their implication in regulating nutrient cycling in constructed wetland systems. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 350:119559. [PMID: 38016236 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses the micro-nano plastics (MNPs) and their interaction with physical, chemical and biological processes in a constructed wetland (CW) system that is typically used as a nature-based tertiary wastewater treatment for municipal as well as industrial applications. Individual components of the CW system such as substrate, microorganisms and plants were considered to assess how MNPs influence the CW processes. One of the main functions of a CW system is removal of nutrients like nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and here we highlight the pathways through which the MNPs influence CW's efficacy of nutrient removal. The presence of morphologically (size and shape) and chemically different MNPs influence the growth rate of microorganisms important in N and P cycling, invertebrates, decomposers, and the plants which affect the overall efficiency of a CW treatment system. Certain plant species take up the MNPs, and some toxicity has been observed. This review focuses on two significant aspects: (1) the presence of MNPs in a significant concentration affects the efficiency of N and P removal, and (2) the removal of MNPs. Because MNPs reduce the enzyme activities in abundance and overproduction of ROS oxidizes the enzyme active sites, resulting in the depletion of proteins, ultimately inhibiting nitrogen and phosphorus removal within the substrate layer. The review found that the majority of the studies used sand-activated carbon (SAC), granular-activated carbon (GAC), rice straw, granular limestone, and calcium carbonate, as a substrate for CW treatment systems. Common plant species used in the CW include Phragmites, Arabidopsis thaliana, Lepidium sativum, Thalia dealbata, and Canna indica, which were also found to be dominant in the uptake of the MNPs in the CWs. The MNPs were found to affect earthworms such as Eisenia fetida, Caenorhabditis elegans, and, Enchytraeus crypticus, whereas Metaphire vulgaris were found unaffected. Though various mechanisms take place during the removal process, adsorption and uptake mechanism effectively emphasize the removal of MNPs and nitrogen and phosphorus in CW. The MNPs characteristics (type, size, and concentration) play a crucial role in the removal efficiency of nano-plastics (NPs) and micro-plastics (MPs). The enhanced removal efficiency of NPs compared to MPs can be attributed to their smaller size, resulting in a faster reaction rate. However, NPs dose variation showed fluctuating removal efficiency, whereas MPs dose increment reduces removal efficiency. MP and NPs dose variation also affected toxicity to plants and earthworms as observed from data. Understanding the fate and removal of microplastics in wetland systems will help determine the reuse potential of wastewater and restrict the release of microplastics. This study provides information on various aspects and highlights future gaps and needs for MNP fate study in CW systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Gupta
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India.
| | - Tanushree Parsai
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India.
| | - Harshad Vijay Kulkarni
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India.
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10
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Peng M, Wu Q, Gao S, Liu Y, Zeng J, Ruan Y. Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in an urban river: The response to urban waste management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166638. [PMID: 37657545 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The rivers have been proven to be potential sources and the major transport pathways of microplastic (MP) in natural aquatic eco-systems, yet there is an absence of understanding the provenances and distribution dynamics of MP in fluvial water body of urban regions. The present investigation aimed to characterize the distribution and accumulation of MPs in both surface water and riverine bed sediments in a typical urban river (Nanming River, southwest China), during the dry and wet seasons of 2021. MP were detected throughout the entire sample set, with average surface water abundances of 750 ± 53 n/m3 and 693.3 ± 40 n/m3 in dry and wet seasons, respectively, and 2250 ± 496.7 n/kg (dw) in surface sediments. Furthermore, the composition of 25 polymer types MPs were analyzed. The sediment of the Nanming River is a sink for MPs, recording their long-term accumulation. Multivariate statistical analysis-based results indicated that urban littering and agricultural input were the major contributors of non-point MP in the Nanming River, while the discharged effluent was another factor influencing the distribution of MPs in urban fluvial system. The average abundance of MPs was negatively correlated with purchase power parity (PPP), demonstrating that the poorly waste management results in a higher abundance of MPs in municipal river systems. The present study systematically characterized the distribution of MPs in medium-sized urban rivers systems in Southwest China. These findings can inform policy and management decisions to reduce MPs pollution in urban rivers and protect aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixue Peng
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Qixin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, China.
| | - Shilin Gao
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, China
| | - Yongxue Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, China
| | - Yunjun Ruan
- Institute of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, College of Big Data and Information Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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Rozman U, Blažič A, Kalčíková G. Phytoremediation: A promising approach to remove microplastics from the aquatic environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 338:122690. [PMID: 37797928 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to the increasing amount of microplastics (MPs) in the environment, various technologies for their removal have been investigated. One of the possible technologies are phytoremediation methods, but insufficient understanding of the interactions between MPs and aquatic macrophytes limits their further development. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between polyethylene MPs and the floating aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor in terms of the extent and time frame of MPs adhesion to the plant biomass, the stability of the interactions under water movement and understanding the nature of the adsorption process through the adsorption isotherm models. The results showed that the maximum number of adhered MPs was reached after 24 h. With increased amount of plant biomass the number of adhered MPs increased as well. Slow movement of water had no statistically significant effect on the adhesion of MPs. Among several adsorption models, the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model was the best fit to the experimental data, which assumes weak binding of MPs to plant biomass. Finally, 79% of MPs was removed during 15 cycles of phytoremediation (i.e., the biomass was removed and replaced with new biomass 15 times) and it was calculated that 53 cycles would be needed to remove all MPs from the water phase under test conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ula Rozman
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anej Blažič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Pleskytė S, Uogintė I, Burbulytė A, Byčenkienė S. Characteristics and removal efficiency of microplastics at secondary wastewater treatment plant in Lithuania. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2023; 95:e10958. [PMID: 38149312 DOI: 10.1002/wer.10958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the most significant barrier between anthropogenic microplastics and environmental ecosystems. The distribution and characteristics of microplastics in WWTPs remain uncertain and incompletely understood, particularly in northeastern Europe (Baltic States), where there is a lack of data on microplastic pollution and distribution. This study presents the removal efficiency and variation in characteristics of microplastics in different stages of the secondary WWTP during a 3-month sampling campaign in Lithuania. The abundance, size, shape, color, and chemical composition of microplastics in the wastewater at different treatment stages were thoroughly examined, in a size range from 20 to 1000 μm. On average, 2962 ± 25 particles/L of microplastic enter the studied WWTP. The obtained microplastic removal efficiency was 55.4% ± 3.9%, highlighting the necessity to enhance wastewater treatment strategies focusing on microplastic removal. Fragment-type microplastics smaller than 100 μm were removed from wastewater samples with the highest removal efficiency. Furthermore, our study includes recommendations to improve microplastic removal efficiency and contribute to mitigating microplastic pollution. PRACTITIONER POINTS: A large number of MPs in the size range of 20-1000 μm enter Lithuanian WWTP. Small-sized MPs within a range of 20-50 μm and 50-100 μm were removed with the highest efficiency of 54.07 ± 1.68% and 56.4 ± 2.43%, respectively. The shape and size of MPs have a major impact on the efficiency of their removal. Future research should prioritize the development of economical and energy-efficient systems, specifically designed for the removal of MPs in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonata Pleskytė
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ieva Uogintė
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Austėja Burbulytė
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Vilnius, Lithuania
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13
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Reeves A, Shaikh WA, Chakraborty S, Chaudhuri P, Biswas JK, Maity JP. Potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through microplastics in sewage: A wastewater-based epidemiological review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 334:122171. [PMID: 37437759 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, there is an urgent need to identify and investigate the various pathways of transmission. In addition to contact and aerosol transmission of the virus, this review investigated the possibility of its transmission via microplastics found in sewage. Wastewater-based epidemiological studies on the virus have confirmed its presence and persistence in both influent sewage as well as treated ones. The hypothesis behind the study is that the huge amount of microplastics, especially Polyvinyl Chloride and Polyethylene particles released into the open waters from sewage can become a good substrate and vector for microbes, especially Polyvinyl Chloride and Polyethylene particles, imparting stability to microbes and aiding the "plastisphere" formation. A bibliometric analysis highlights the negligence of research toward plastispheres and their presence in sewage. The ubiquity of microplastics and their release along with the virus into the open waters increases the risk of viral plastispheres. These plastispheres may be ingested by aquatic organisms facilitating reverse zoonosis and the commercial organisms already reported with accumulating microplastics through the food chain poses a risk to human populations as well. Reliance of high population density areas on open waters served by untreated sewage in economically less developed countries might bring back viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Reeves
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700019, India
| | - Wasim Akram Shaikh
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Science and Technology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, 743368, India
| | - Sukalyan Chakraborty
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Jharkhand, 835215, India.
| | - Punarbasu Chaudhuri
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700019, India
| | - Jayanta Kumar Biswas
- Enviromicrobiology, Ecotoxicology and Ecotechnology Research Laboratory (3E-MicroToxTech Lab), Department of Ecological Studies, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, 741235, West Bengal, India; International Centre for Ecological Engineering, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, 741235, West Bengal, India
| | - Jyoti Prakash Maity
- Environmental Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Applied Sciences, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India.
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Gao S, Wu Q, Peng M, Zeng J, Jiang T, Ruan Y, Xu L, Guo K. Rapid urbanization affects microplastic communities in lake sediments: A case study of Lake Aha in southwest China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 338:117824. [PMID: 37004481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Effective management of pollutants in urban environments is crucial for achieving sustainable cities. Microplastics, as an emerging pollutant widely present in contemporary environments, have received widespread attention in recent years. However, limited studies have reported the impact of rapid urbanization on regional microplastics. In this study, the abundance and composition of microplastic communities in the sediments of Lake Aha were analyzed using a "microplastic community" and slicing the sediments at 5 cm intervals. Results showed that microplastic abundance of sediments in Lake Aha was relatively high (up to 1700 items/kg) and decreased with increasing depth, with the highest abundance found in the surface layer (0-5 cm, 1090 ± 474 items/kg). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) revealed that the different sediment layers could be classified into high and low urbanization level groups based on the composition of microplastic communities. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) indicated that agricultural input was the main source of microplastic pollution during low urbanization levels, characterized by low abundance, large particle size, and high fiber proportion, while urban activities dominated during high urbanization levels, with high abundance, small particle size, high proportion of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fragments, and granules, and colorful microplastics. This study clarifies the impact of urbanization on the abundance and composition of microplastics in lake sediments, which has implications for more effective management and control of microplastic pollution in regions undergoing rapid urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Gao
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Qixin Wu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China.
| | - Meixue Peng
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Yunjun Ruan
- College of Bigdata and Information Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Li Xu
- Beijing Research Center for Agricultural Standards and Testing, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Guo
- Guiyang Research Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
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Shen M, Zhao Y, Liu S, Hu T, Zheng K, Wang Y, Lian J, Meng G. Recent advances on micro/nanoplastic pollution and membrane fouling during water treatment: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163467. [PMID: 37062323 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Effluent from sewage treatment plant, as an important source of microplastics (MPs) in receiving water, has attracted extensive attention. Membrane separation process shows good microplastic removal performance in the existing tertiary water treatment process. Problematically, membrane fouling and insufficient removal of small organic molecules are still the key obstacles to its further extensive application. Dissolved organics, extracellular polymers and suspended particles in the influent are deposited on the membrane surface and internal structure, reducing the number and pore diameter of effective membrane aperture, and increasing the resistance of membrane filtration. Exploring the mechanism and approach of membrane fouling caused by micro/nanoplastics is the key to alleviate fouling and allow membranes to operate longer. In this paper, removal performance of micro/nanoplastics by current membrane filtration and the contribution to membrane fouling during water treatment are thoroughly reviewed. The coupling mechanisms between micro/nanoplastics and other pollutants and mechanism of membrane fouling caused by composite micro/nanoplastics are discussed. Additionally, on this basis, the prospect of combined process for micro/nanoplastic removal and membrane fouling prevention is also proposed and discussed, which provides a valuable reference for the preferential removal of micro/nanoplastics and development of antifouling membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maocai Shen
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, PR China.
| | - Yifei Zhao
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, PR China
| | - Shiwei Liu
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, PR China
| | - Tong Hu
- Department of Environment Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Kaixuan Zheng
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Yulai Wang
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, PR China
| | - Jianjun Lian
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, PR China
| | - Guanhua Meng
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, PR China.
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