Microplastic Fate and Transport at Drinking Water Treatment Plants

Disciplines

Environmental Engineering

Abstract (300 words maximum)

The prevalence of microplastics has become a growing concern in recent years due to their contamination of water in even the most remote locations. These concerns have begun to reach the public sentiment, shown by the addition of Senate Bill No. 1422 passed in the state of California which requires the State Board to adopt a definition for microplastics and requires the standardization of monitoring at drinking water treatment plants. However, further research is needed in order to understand the concentration and classification of microplastics at treatment plants. This research analyzes water and sludge samples at different stages of treatment to determine the effect that drinking water processes have on microplastic removal. In order to account for environmental contamination, control studies were completed with DI and air samples. The samples were analyzed using an adapted National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s marine sample protocol. The microplastics were counted under a 3.5X-180X Zoom Stereo Microscope. Preliminary findings show that microplastics are removed from within the drinking water plant at varying degrees of success; the data also conveys that microfibers are the most common type of microplastic observed. High concentrations were found in the drinking water residuals, either from removal within the plant, or through environmental contamination, which indicates microplastics may continue to cycle through the environment after receiving proper treatment.

Academic department under which the project should be listed

SPCEET - Civil and Environmental Engineering

Primary Investigator (PI) Name

Amy Borello Gruss

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Microplastic Fate and Transport at Drinking Water Treatment Plants

The prevalence of microplastics has become a growing concern in recent years due to their contamination of water in even the most remote locations. These concerns have begun to reach the public sentiment, shown by the addition of Senate Bill No. 1422 passed in the state of California which requires the State Board to adopt a definition for microplastics and requires the standardization of monitoring at drinking water treatment plants. However, further research is needed in order to understand the concentration and classification of microplastics at treatment plants. This research analyzes water and sludge samples at different stages of treatment to determine the effect that drinking water processes have on microplastic removal. In order to account for environmental contamination, control studies were completed with DI and air samples. The samples were analyzed using an adapted National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s marine sample protocol. The microplastics were counted under a 3.5X-180X Zoom Stereo Microscope. Preliminary findings show that microplastics are removed from within the drinking water plant at varying degrees of success; the data also conveys that microfibers are the most common type of microplastic observed. High concentrations were found in the drinking water residuals, either from removal within the plant, or through environmental contamination, which indicates microplastics may continue to cycle through the environment after receiving proper treatment.