A review of the removal of microplastics in global wastewater treatment plants: Characteristics and mechanisms

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered to be the main sources of microplastic contaminants in the aquatic environment, and an in-depth understanding of the behavior of microplastics among the critical treatment technologies in WWTPs is urgently needed. In this paper, the characteristics and removal of microplastics in 38 WWTPs in 11 countries worldwide were reviewed. The abundance of microplastics in the influent, effluent, and sludge was compared. Then, based on existing data, the removal efficiency of microplastics in critical treatment technologies were compared by quantitative analysis. Particularly, detailed mechanisms of critical treatment technologies including primary settling treatment…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 2018ZX07111003, 2019YFC1806104, 41977308, 41977142, JD2006
• MS
  Major Science and Technology Program for Water Pollution Control and Treatment

  Awards: 41977142, 41977308, 2018ZX07111003, JD2006, 2019YFC1806104
• KT
  Key Technologies Research and Development Program

  Awards: 41977142, 2018ZX07111003, 2019YFC1806104, 41977308, JD2006
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Awards: 2019YFC1806104, 41977308, 41977142, JD2006, 2018ZX07111003