WERF: Determining the fate and major removal mechanisms of microplastics in water and resource recovery facilities

建议：1707069PI：Belinda Sturm该项目的重点是微塑料(5 mm塑料)在从水资源和回收设施(WRRF)排放的液体和生物固体中的去向。微塑料通常夹带在活性污泥中，最终通过生物固体释放到环境中。塑料对海洋脊椎动物的有害影响是有据可查的，也是一个主要的环境问题。在这个项目中，将确定塑料的运输路径。这项研究的结果将有助于减少对海洋生态系统的有害影响。投资促进机构将通过一次全面的抽样运动让市政当局参与进来，并将在一个公众可访问的网络数据库中传播数据。他们将继续与高中教师合作，完善教学模块，处理专注于微塑料和新出现的污染物的主题。当微塑料被吸附或夹带在活性污泥絮体结构中时，它们很可能被去除。主要假设是污泥结构和胞外聚合物(EPS)含量是微塑料去除的控制变量。特别是，假设具有高比表面积和高EPS含量的微生物聚集体可以捕获更多的微塑料。为了验证这一假设，PIS将对具有不同一级和二级治疗过程的精选WRRF进行调查。为了进一步量化微塑料的捕获效率，PIS将确定EPS对实验室和中试反应器中微塑料吸附和保留效率的影响，并比较传统颗粒污泥工艺和好氧颗粒污泥工艺对微塑料吸附的影响。活性污泥法，特别是重力沉淀法，并不是为了去除低密度的微塑料颗粒而设计的。当微塑料被吸附或夹带在活性污泥絮体结构中时，它们很可能被去除。随着微塑料负荷的增加，研究微塑料相关微生物的生态位分离对活性污泥法处理效果的影响具有重要意义。这项研究的一个成果将是更好地了解微塑料在WRRF中的命运。该项目的成果将为废物处理设施中微塑料污染的综合管理提供一个框架。

Proposal: 1707069PI: Belinda SturmThe focus of this project is the fate of microplastics (plastics 5mm) in the liquid and biosolids discharged from water resource and recovery facilities (WRRFs). Microplastics are typically entrained within activated sludge and ultimately released to the environment through biosolids. The detrimental effects of plastics on marine vertebrates is well-documented and a major environmental concern. In this project the transport pathways for plastics will be identified. The results of this study will help reduce harmful marine ecosystem impacts. The PIs will engage municipalities through a full-scale sampling campaign and will disseminate the data in a web-based database that is publically accessible. They will continue to collaborate with high school teachers to refine teaching modules dealing with topics focused on microplastics and emerging contaminants.Microplastics are likely to be removed when they are adsorbed or entrained within the activated sludge floc structure. The main hypothesis is that the sludge structure and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content are controlling variables to microplastic removal. In particular, the assumption is that microbial aggregates with high surface areas and high EPS content can capture more microplastics. To test this hypothesis the PIs will conduct a survey of select WRRFs with different primary and secondary treatment processes. To further quantify microplastics capture efficiencies, the PIs will determine the effect of EPS on microplastic adsorption and retention efficiency within lab-scale and pilot-scale reactors and compare conventional and aerobic granular sludge processes for microplastic adsorption. The activated sludge process, and particularly gravity sedimentation, was not designed to remove low density microplastic particles. Microplastics are likely to be removed when they are adsorbed or entrained within the activated sludge floc structure. As microplastic loads to WRRFs increase, it is important to study the effect of niche separation of microplastic-associated microorganisms on activated sludge process performance. One outcome of the research will be a better understanding the fate of microplastics in WRRFs. Results of this project will provide a framework for comprehensive management of microplastics contamination in WRRFs.