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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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Wang X, Ding N, Liu H. Effect of microplastics on sodium hypochlorite disinfection and changes in its toxicity on zebrafish. CHEMOSPHERE 2024:142594. [PMID: 38871186 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in water may affect the efficacy of the disinfection process and induce toxicity changes to MPs themselves during disinfection. Therefore, this study evaluated the two-way effects of polyethylene microplastic (MP) particles in water and wastewater during sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) disinfection. On the one hand, it has been confirmed that the presence of MPs reduced the disinfection efficiency of NaClO. The required CT (concentration of the disinfection × contact time) for a 2-4-log inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in different water samples was in the order of deionized water < turbid water (1 NTU) < water with MPs (1 mg/L) < turbid water (10 NTU). On the other hand, although exposure to MPs did induce significant changes in the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, compared to pristine MPs, the MPs treated by NaClO at current conditions (0.3 and 3.0 mg/L for 30 min) did not show significant changes in their toxicity on zebrafish, at an MP exposure concentration of 1 mg/L. There was no significant difference in the survival rate and weight growth rate, neither as in the activities of the oxidative stress-related enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione s-transferase) in both gut and muscle tissues of the zebrafish, between exposure to the pristine and NaClO-treated MPs. It is indicated that NaClO disinfection commonly applied for water and wastewater treatment would not pose a serious concern to effluent safety in the presence of mild levels of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Wang
- Environmenal Testing and Experiment Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Ning Ding
- School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Hong Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Jiangsu Province 215000, China
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3
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Liu S, Chen Q, Ding H, Song Y, Pan Q, Deng H, Zeng EY. Differences of microplastics and nanoplastics in urban waters: Environmental behaviors, hazards, and removal. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 260:121895. [PMID: 38875856 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment and have caused widespread concerns globally due to their potential hazards to humans. Especially, NPs have smaller sizes and higher penetrability, and therefore can penetrate the human barrier more easily and may pose potentially higher risks than MPs. Currently, most reviews have overlooked the differences between MPs and NPs and conflated them in the discussions. This review compared the differences in physicochemical properties and environmental behaviors of MPs and NPs. Commonly used techniques for removing MPs and NPs currently employed by wastewater treatment plants and drinking water treatment plants were summarized, and their weaknesses were analyzed. We further comprehensively reviewed the latest technological advances (e.g., emerging coagulants, new filters, novel membrane materials, photocatalysis, Fenton, ozone, and persulfate oxidation) for the separation and degradation of MPs and NPs. Microplastics are more easily removed than NPs through separation processes, while NPs are more easily degraded than MPs through advanced oxidation processes. The operational parameters, efficiency, and potential governing mechanisms of various technologies as well as their advantages and disadvantages were also analyzed in detail. Appropriate technology should be selected based on environmental conditions and plastic size and type. Finally, current challenges and prospects in the detection, toxicity assessment, and removal of MPs and NPs were proposed. This review intends to clarify the differences between MPs and NPs and provide guidance for removing MPs and NPs from urban water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuan Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qiqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 123456, China
| | - Yunqian Song
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Qixin Pan
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Huiping Deng
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters (Ministry of Education), School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Li J, Sun D, Wen Y, Chen X, Wang H, Li S, Song Z, Liu H, Ma J, Chen L. Molecularly imprinted polymers and porous organic frameworks based analytical methods for disinfection by-products in water and wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124249. [PMID: 38810677 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Disinfection by-products (DBPs) with heritage toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity are one kind of important new pollutants, and their detection and removal in water and wastewater has become a common challenge facing mankind. Advanced functional materials with ideal selectivity, adsorption capacity and regeneration capacity provide hope for the determination of DBPs with low concentration levels and inherent molecular structural similarity. Among them, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are favored, owing to their predictable structure, specific recognition and wide applicability. Also, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) with unique pore structure, large specific surface area and easy functionalization, attract increasing interest. Herein, we review recent advances in analytical methods based on the above-mentioned three functional materials for DBPs in water and wastewater. Firstly, MIPs, MOFs and COFs are briefly introduced. Secondly, MIPs, MOFs and COFs as extractants, recognition element and adsorbents, are comprehensively discussed. Combining the latest research progress of solid-phase extraction (SPE), sensor, adsorption and nanofiltration, typical examples on MIPs and MOFs/COFs based analytical and removal applications in water and wastewater are summarized. Finally, the application prospects and challenges of the three functional materials in DBPs analysis are proposed to promote the development of corresponding analytical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Coastal Zone Ecological Environment Monitoring Technology and Equipment Shandong Engineering Research Center, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China.
| | - Dani Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Coastal Zone Ecological Environment Monitoring Technology and Equipment Shandong Engineering Research Center, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Yuhao Wen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Coastal Zone Ecological Environment Monitoring Technology and Equipment Shandong Engineering Research Center, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Xuan Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Coastal Zone Ecological Environment Monitoring Technology and Equipment Shandong Engineering Research Center, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Hongdan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Coastal Zone Ecological Environment Monitoring Technology and Equipment Shandong Engineering Research Center, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Shuang Li
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, State-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Urban Sewage Treatment and Resource Recovery, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
| | - Zhihua Song
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Huitao Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Jiping Ma
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, State-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Urban Sewage Treatment and Resource Recovery, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
| | - Lingxin Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Coastal Zone Ecological Environment Monitoring Technology and Equipment Shandong Engineering Research Center, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266237, China
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Ghanadi M, Padhye LP. Revealing the long-term impact of photodegradation and fragmentation on HDPE in the marine environment: Origins of microplastics and dissolved organics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133509. [PMID: 38232551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133509] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The extensive usage of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) materials in marine environments raises concerns about their potential contribution to plastic pollution. Various factors contribute to the degradation of HDPE in marine environments, including UV radiation, seawater hydrolysis, biodegradation, and mechanical stress. Despite their supposed long lifespans, there is still a lack of understanding about the long-term degradation mechanisms that cause weathering of seawater-exposed HDPE products. In this research, the impact of UV radiation on the degradation of HDPE pile sleeves was studied in natural as well as laboratory settings to isolate the UV effect. After nine years of exposure to the marine environment in natural settings, the HDPE pile sleeves exhibited an increase in oxygen-containing surface functional groups and more morphological changes compared to accelerated UVB irradiation in the laboratory. This indicated that combined non-UV mechanisms may play a major role in HDPE degradation than UV irradiation alone. However, UVB irradiation was found to release dissolved organic carbon and total dissolved nitrogen from HDPE pile sleeves, reaching levels of up to 15 mg/L and 2 mg/L, respectively. Our findings underscore the significance of taking into account both UV and non-UV degradation mechanisms when evaluating the role of HDPE in contributing to marine plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahyar Ghanadi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Lokesh P Padhye
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
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Hu L, He L, Cai L, Wang Y, Wu G, Zhang D, Pan X, Wang YZ. Deterioration of single-use biodegradable plastics in high-humidity air and freshwaters over one year: Significant disparities in surface physicochemical characteristics and degradation rates. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133170. [PMID: 38064942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
More single-use plastics are accumulating in the environment, and likewise biodegradable plastics (BPs), which are being vigorously promoted, cannot escape the fate. Currently, studies on the actual degradation of BPs in open-air and freshwaters are underrepresented despite they are potentially headmost leakage and contamination sites for disposable BPs. Herein, we compared the degradation behavior of six BP materials and non-degradable polypropylene (PP) plastics over a 1-year in situ suspension in the high-humidity air, a eutrophic river, and an oligotrophic lake. Moreover, a 3-months laboratory incubation was performed to detect the release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from BPs. In both air and freshwaters, poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) degraded significantly while PP and polylactic acid (PLA) showed no signs of degradation. The average degradation rates of three poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)-based films varied: 100% in river, 55% in lake, and 10% in air. In addition to PLA, surface chemical groups, hydrophilicity, and thermal stability of BPs changed, and microplastics were found on their surfaces. Correspondingly, BPs with faster degradation rates released relatively higher amounts of DOC. Environmental microbial and chemical characteristics may contribute to differences in BP degradation besides polymer specificity. Altogether, our results indicate the need for appropriate monitoring of BPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Hu
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China; Shaoxing Research Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Linlin He
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Li Cai
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yumeng Wang
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Gang Wu
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Daoyong Zhang
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Xiangliang Pan
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| | - Yu-Zhong Wang
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
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Assefa E, Jabasingh A, Mulugeta E, Dessalegne M, Teju E. Impact of source water quality on total organic carbon and trihalomethane removal efficiency in a water treatment plant: A case study of Upper Awash, Ethiopia. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2024; 22:337-349. [PMID: 38421628 PMCID: wh_2024_276 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2024.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
This study addresses the limited understanding of factors affecting the efficiency of water treatment plants in reducing trihalomethane (THM) formation through total organic carbon (TOC) removal, highlighting significant challenges in improving treatment effectiveness. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of water quality on the efficiency of water treatment plants to remove TOC and reduce THM formation. Linear regression and correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between water quality parameters and THM concentrations. The results showed that there was a negative relationship between turbidity, metals, and TOC concentration with TOC removal efficiency. Positive correlations were found between parameters and the formation of THMs in water. Of these parameters, water temperature was observed to have relatively less influence on THM formation. It was observed that seasonal variations in water quality affect the efficiency of TOC removal and THM content in treated water. THM levels in chlorinated water were found to be within the permissible range of the World Health Organization's drinking water quality guidelines. However, it is still important to maintain continuous monitoring and take measures to reduce THMs. The model demonstrated a strong correlation (R2 = 0.906) between predicted and measured THM values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeru Assefa
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia E-mail:
| | - Anuradha Jabasingh
- Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Eyobel Mulugeta
- Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Meseret Dessalegne
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Endale Teju
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia
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Ying L, Marques Dos Santos M, Jia S, Li C, Lee THY, Mensah AT, Snyder SA. Comparison of monochloramination and chlorination of 1,3-diphenylguandine (DPG): Kinetics, transformation products, and cell-based in-vitro testing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167743. [PMID: 37838050 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167743] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
As a widely used secondary vulcanization accelerator in the rubber industry, 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG) poses risks to human health and the environment. To compare and comprehend the disinfection process of DPG, this work investigates the reaction kinetics, toxicity, and transformation products (TPs) of DPG during chlorination and monochloramination. It has been revealed that the reactivity of monochloramine is significantly slower compared to chlorination of DPG, with the maximum efficiency observed at pH 7 to pH 8. Cytotoxicity assessment using HepG2 and THP-1 cells reveals that cytotoxicity hierarchy is as follows: chlorine TPs > monochloramine TPs > DPG. Moreover, oxidant-to-DPG molar ratios 10 and 20 lead to higher cytotoxicity in both chlorination and monochloramination compared to ratio 5 and 100. Additionally, cell bioenergetics experiments demonstrate that chlorine and monochloramine TPs induce mitochondrial dysfunction and enhance glycolytic function in HepG2 cells. The genotoxic response from p53 signaling further suggested genotoxic effects of certain TPs. Furthermore, analysis of TPs using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) identifies ten TPs, with chlorination yielding more TPs than monochloramination. Generally, a chlorine or monochloramine molar ratio to DPG of 10-20 results in an increased formation of TPs and heightened cytotoxicity. Notably, higher oxidant molar ratios increased the formation of monoguanidine TPs and DPG hydroxylation during chlorination, whereas monochloramination lead to DPG substitution predominantly generating chlorinated DPG due to weaker oxidation effects. These findings provide valuable information for the appropriate treatment of DPG and disinfection processes in water facilities to mitigate potential risks to human health and the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lebing Ying
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Mauricius Marques Dos Santos
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Shenglan Jia
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Caixia Li
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Theodora H Y Lee
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Anette Tele Mensah
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Shane Allen Snyder
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
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Shi Y, Huang H, Zheng L, Tian Y, Gong Z, Wang J, Li W, Gao S. Releases of microplastics and chemicals from nonwoven polyester fabric-based polyurethane synthetic leather by photoaging. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166584. [PMID: 37634718 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The nonwoven PET fabrics are chemically, mechanically and thermally treated fiber aggregate without weaving, knitting or braiding, which could be used as a base to make polyurethane (PU) synthetic leather through a series of processing. Our research systematically compared the photoaging behaviors of pure non-woven PET base fabric (NPET-P) and PU synthetic leather (nonwoven PET-base fabrics with PU coating, NPET-U), and their possibilities for microplastic fibers (MPFs) generation and chemical transformation in water. NPET-U was photoaged to a higher oxidation degree with higher O/C ratios and more distinct changes in chemical structures. The amount of MPFs released from NPET-U (1.98 × 107 g/fibers) was significantly lower than that from NPET-P (4.76 × 107 g/fibers) after 360 h light irradiation (p value <0.05) with a slower degradation rate and delayed MPFs release. The lengths and diameters of released MPFs from NPET-U varied within a smaller range than that from NPET-P exposed to UV light irradiation. Natural sunlight aging of fabrics for 365 days was found to be equivalent to approximately 85.3-127.2 h UV aging in the laboratory, which indicated the lab accelerated experiments was extraordinarily intense to simulate natural sunlight aging. Furthermore, abundant calcium and sulfur-contained chemicals were detected in original fabrics and the leachate of 360 h light-aged fabrics using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The organic components of the leachate were separated according to their molecular weight with the changes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and the UV response over aging time. UV stimulation aggravated the role of plastic polymers as disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors. Nevertheless, although NPET-U could produce more nitrogen-contained chemicals, it had similar formation potentials of nitrogen-containing DBPs as NPET-P. The discussion lucubrated the potential risks of the production of MPFs and chemical release in the leachate with regard to combined plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Hexinyue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Lezhou Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Yechao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Zhimin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Jiahao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Wentao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Shixiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China.
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