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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40820022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-15504-9

Characterization of nanoplastics and small-sized microplastics in sewage treatment.

Sci Rep 15(1):30089

Authors: Shaima Iskandarani, Sarvajith Manjunath, Rosa Busquets, Lorenzo Raeli, Pascal E Saikaly, Luiza C Campos

Affiliations

  • Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
  • Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, School of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK.
  • Bioscience Core Lab, KAUST, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Environmental Science and Engineering Program, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.

Abstract

The presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in sewage treatment plants (STPs) remains a critical yet underexplored environmental issue. Here, we present a novel investigation into the occurrence, recovery, and characterization of nanoplastics and small-size microplastics (50-2500 nm) in raw and treated sewage effluent from a full-scale STP (treating 4000 m 3/day) operating with activated sludge. To our knowledge, this research includes the first confirmed assessment of nanoplastics in such a system and applies nano-flow cytometry to wastewater analysis for the first time globally. It is also the first study addressing micro- and nanoplastics in wastewater in Saudi Arabia, advancing plastic particle analysis in complex matrices. Particles in the 50- < 100 nm range accounted for 44% of total particles detected in STP effluents. Overall, plastic particles accounted for 16% (± 10%) of total particles within 50-2500 nm in raw sewage, increasing to 41% (± 13%) in treated effluent. This increase highlights the inefficiency of conventional treatment in fully removing plastic particles and suggests preferential removal based on size or density. The composition of a representative selection of particles was characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray. Identified polymers included polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, and polypropylene. These findings provide important insights into treated sewage composition, particularly for reuse in arid regions.

MeSH

Microplastics, Recycling, Sewage, Natural Science Disciplines, Therapeutics, Plastics

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