Fate and analysis of microplastics in a decetralized wastewater treatment system of the Asian Institute of Technology | |
| Author | Shrestha, Sushila |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-21-64 |
| Subject(s) | Microplastics--Environmental aspects--Thailand--Asian Institute of Technology Plastic scrap--Environmental aspects--Thailand--Asian Institute of Technology Wastewater--Treatment |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Marine Plastics Abatement |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Wastewater treatment plants have been considered as both the collectors of the microplastics from anthropic use and as a significant point source of microplastic (MPs) release in the environment. This research study aims to investigate the transport, removal efficiency and fate of microplastics in different influent and effluent points in WWTP of Asian Institute of Technology. Sample collection, extraction and evaluation were done from major 8 sampling points, namely, laundry wastewater, residential wastewater, wastewater from both residential and academic building area, main influent, sedimentation tank, man effluent, raw sludge and dry sludge. Microplastics samples from all sampling points were further studied as per their number, color and shape and represented in MPs/L for all wastewater and MPs/g for the dry sludge cake. Significant reduction of microplastics could be obtained in sedimentation tank at 30.19% reduction efficiency. Size of fiber and fragment of influent points were bigger than samples in effluent points which indicated breakdown of microplastics in the wastewater treatment plant. Transparent microfibers were the most abundant type of the microplastics found throughout the sample. FTIR analysis showed presence of Polyethylene (PET) microfiber in laundry wastewater and Polyethylene (PE) fragment in main influent. The result exhibited that even a small and bounded decentralized wastewater treatment plant like that of AIT can be a significant source of MP emission in the environment as 20MPs/L was found in effluent and 27 microplastics in per gram of dried sludge. Despite of the removal efficiency being 49.99%, both effluent and sludge could release significant amount of MP in the environment as AIT WWTP treats 1500m3 /day of wastewater. More researches and standardization of the sample collection and extraction for microplastics analysis needs to be done to understand the fate and effect of microplastics from wastewater treatment plant. |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Marine Plastic Abatement (MPA) |
| Chairperson(s) | Cruz, Simon Guerrero |
| Examination Committee(s) | Xue, Wenchao;Ho Huu Loc |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |