The potential removal of microplastics in decentralized wastewater treatment plants of communities : a case study in Pathumthani, Thailand | |
| Author | Weerakorn Sinlapawongsathorn |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-22-17 |
| Subject(s) | Wastewater--Treatment Microplastics--Case studies |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as a major pathway of microplastics (MPs) emission into marine environment. However, the study on microplastics in WWTPs in Thailand is limited. The WWTPs are categorized by centralized and decentralized WWTPs. The decentralized systems have been operated by local residents, but the centralized systems have been operated by expertise or organization. This research aimed to study the occurrence of MPs and MPs removal in decentralized wastewater treatment plants (DWTPs) in Pathumthani, Thailand. The activated sludge (AS) wastewater treatment system was selected from two communities, where provide good and low operation and maintenance. Water and sludge were sampled at the influence, aeration tank, sedimentation tank and effluent. The result indicated that the MPs removal of DWTP providing good operation and maintenance was 72% - 75%, but low operation and maintenance was 53.84% - 55.56%. The aeration system was a major unit to increase the density of MPs by microorganisms or organic attachment to settle in sedimentation tank as sludge. Most of MPs were fibers, fragment, sheet and unclassified, mostly made of polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene. The number of microplastics depend on the lifestyle and economic degree of population. Even though the decentralized systems can reduce the microplastics in wastewater, the microplastics remain in wastewater and transfer to sludge. The microplastics in effluent and sludge can cause the adverse effect to environment and human. The sludge shouldn’t be used as fertilizer because of the possible microplastic transport to agriculture. The irrigation department also should consider the microplastic emission apart from the water quality of wastewater treatment systems, in their management strategies. It is very critical to apply long-term strategies such as regulations to mitigate the sources of microplastics. |
| Year | 2022 |
| Type | Thesis |
| 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 | Environmental Engineering (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Cruz, Simon Guerrero |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ekbordin Winijkul;Somkiat Opaspermpong |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarships (Thailand) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2022 |