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

建议：1707069 PI：Belinda Sturm该项目的重点是从水资源和回收设施（WRRF）排放的液体和生物固体中微塑料（塑料5毫米）的命运。 微塑料通常夹带在活性污泥中，并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有充分的记录，是一个主要的环境问题。 在该项目中，将确定塑料的运输途径。 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。 项目执行人将通过全面的抽样活动与各城市接触，并将在一个可通过电子方式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，完善以微塑料和新兴污染物为主题的教学模块。微塑料在吸附或夹带在活性污泥絮体结构中时可能会被去除。 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，PI将对具有不同初级和二级处理过程的选定WRRF进行调查。 为了进一步量化微塑料捕获效率，PI将确定EPS对实验室规模和中试规模反应器内微塑料吸附和保留效率的影响，并比较常规和好氧颗粒污泥工艺的微塑料吸附。 活性污泥法，特别是重力沉降法，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凝物结构中时，它们可能会被去除。 随着塑料负荷的增加，研究塑料相关微生物的生态位分离对活性污泥工艺性能的影响是非常重要的。 这项研究的成果之一将是更好地了解微塑料在WRRF中的命运。 该项目的结果将为WRRF中微塑料污染的综合管理提供框架。

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.