Plastic pollution is a problem of global scale and will increase as synthetic polymers continue to be produced, used, and discarded. Microplastic (MPs, <5 mm in size) pollution is of increasing concern, because this is estimated to account for more than 92% of global plastic counts and expected to present risks to aquatic fauna and humans. Often, MPs are too small to be seen and are unevenly distributed in the environment due to differences in shape, size, and density, rendering them difficult to find and quantify in environmental samples. Hence, adequate quantitative and qualitative assessment of these materials remains scarce, particularly in freshwaters and wastewaters that remain largely unexplored. However, both systems receive and transport different types of anthropogenic waste, including MPs, so warrant further attention for identification of mitigation strategies.
The purpose of this research was to fill gaps in knowledge of the role of freshwater rivers and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as transport vectors of MPs to the environment, and generate incisive understanding of the distribution and behaviour of MPs in these systems. These research findings are expected to be relevant to stakeholders and regulators as they can aid in the identification of priority areas for further research, monitoring, and regulation of MP pollution. Therefore, this research focussed on the abundance and distribution of MPs (60-2800 μm) in urban fresh- and wastewater systems in a river whose catchment contains a large city: the River Clyde catchment (4000 km2) in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. First, liquid fractions were sampled at eight treatment stage points within a tertiary WWTP with 184,500 population equivalents and receiving a mix of household and trade effluent. Then, sediment and water samples were collected in the recipient river, the River Clyde, upstream and downstream from the WWTP. In addition, sediment samples were collected from another nearby freshwater river, the River Kelvin, which also drains through Glasgow and the Clyde at its estuary. The overall aim of this research was to assess the extent of MP pollution in these systems and the distribution, transport, and possible fate of primary and secondary types of MPs. Microplastics were separated from their environmental matrix using the widespread protocols of density separation, hydrogen peroxide oxidation of labile organics, and filtration. Particles were identified by visual sorting followed by chemical confirmation of plastics.
Microplastics were ubiquitous and present in all water bodies in varying quantities: 161-432 MPs kg-1 in the River Kelvin tributary, <1-13 MPs L-1 in the WWTP, 1-26 MPs kg-1 in River Clyde sediment, and 0-4 MPs 24 L-1 in River Clyde water. The WWTP displayed high efficiency, removing 96% of incoming pieces, with the majority removed by the primary treatment stage. However, at least one fibre was observed in treated effluent and this may represent daily discharges of at least 12 million particles to the River Clyde from this WWTP. Total MP concentrations in sediment and water samples of the recipient river were higher in the most downstream site compared to the upstream point furthest from the effluent pipe. Fibre concentrations were higher in downstream sediment samples that may indicate some retention in rivers by sedimentation processes – this is supported by the high abundance of fibres in River Kelvin sediments. Fragments were abundant in the main river sediments in similar concentrations across upstream and downstream sites, suggesting these are more likely to be introduced from diffuse sources via surface runoff and in-stream transport. The comparable concentrations observed across sampling events for each of these systems suggest a continuous input of MPs from their source to the environment.
For further insight into the relative distribution of primary and secondary MPs and their potential sources, it is necessary to confirm material composition of these particles. A subset of specimens extracted from wastewater (5%), Clyde sediment (15%), and Clyde water (56%) were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for this assessment. Secondary MPs especially fibres were predominant, while primary MPs that have received the most media and public attention and prompted plastic and MP strategies, were lowest in concentration. Polypropylene (PP) was the most detected polymer across all analysed particles and was mainly present in the form of fibres and fragments. Polyester and nylon fibres that may be expected in high abundances in wastewater appeared absent in the WWTP in this study, although this was concluded mainly due to size limitations of the characterisation method. However, the PP fibres in wastewater could originate from sanitary products, medical applications, thermal clothing, and construction materials. This is important as fibres are often linked to washing machine effluent and currently little information from alternate sources for this type of MPs exists. In River Clyde sediment, fibres identified as polyethylene terephthalate were observed and concluded to originate mainly from fishing gear, based on combined assessment of chemical and visual properties.
Understanding the causes and significance of MP pollution is a new but expanding area of water research. It was important to share these research findings with the community and so this research was published when possible. This thesis is thus constructed from a series of published and unpublished papers.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
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Qualification Level: | Doctoral |
Additional Information: | Supported by funding from the Hydro Nation Scholarship Programme. |
Keywords: | Microplastics, wastewater, freshwater, rivers, fibres, FTIR. |
Subjects: | > |
Colleges/Schools: | > |
Supervisor's Name: | Waldron, Professor Susan and Gauchotte-Lindsay, Dr. Caroline |
Date of Award: | 2019 |
Depositing User: | |
Unique ID: | glathesis:2019-76781 |
Copyright: | Copyright of this thesis is held by the author. |
Date Deposited: | 19 Dec 2019 11:06 |
Last Modified: | 31 May 2022 09:54 |
Thesis DOI: | |
URI: |
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The objective of this thesis work was, to look in to the multi-dimensional relationship between the source of plastic waste and the actors involved in the process from plastic waste generation up to the recycling stage; and to identify the three major types of plastic waste used and disposed at a household level (PE, PP, and PET).The thesis work had identified how each player was involved in the chain of functions, the working atmosphere among them was organized, and what the transactions between each participant look like. As the economic impact was the driving force which draws the stakeholders into the process, the benefit each stakeholder was getting at every level was indicated. The plastic waste which was delivered to the recycling factories has shown a significant consumption growth from 2012 up to 2016; where one factory registered 1394% increment in its annual consumption .The thesis also assessed the level of awareness creation and degree of implementation of regulations issued in connection with plastic waste and concluded by forwarding some suggestions and recommendations on the way forward.
[ Yohannes F. Woldegiorgis. (2017); ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PLASTIC WASTE: A CASE STUDY IN ADDIS ABABA CITY, ETHIOPIA. Int. J. of Adv. Res. 5 (Jun). 1624-1630] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com
Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/4580 DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/4580
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Professor of Law and Associate Dean for International Affairs, Wake Forest University
Sarah J. Morath is a board member of The Sabin Center for Environment and Sustainability and a member of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty.
Wake Forest University provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.
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Plastic waste is piling up at a daunting pace around the world. The World Bank estimates that every person on the planet generates an average of 1.6 pounds (0.74 kilograms) of plastic waste daily .
To curb this flow, 175 nations are negotiating a binding international treaty on plastic pollution, with a completion target of late 2024. In July 2024, the Biden administration released the first U.S. plan for addressing this problem .
The new U.S. strategy covers five areas: plastic production, product design, waste generation, waste management and plastic capture and removal. It also lists actions that federal agencies and departments are currently pursuing.
I study environmental law , including efforts to reduce plastic pollution . As the world’s largest economy, the U.S. is a critical player in this effort. Based on my research, here are three proposals in the U.S. plan that I believe are important and one omission that I view as a major gap.
Studies have detected tiny plastic fragments, known as microplastics, in settings that include the atmosphere , drinking water sources , wild animals and human food chains .
While scientists have found that wildlife, such as seabirds, can be harmed by consuming plastic , the effects on human health are less clear . Unlike other pollutants, microplastics have different effects depending on their size, their shape and where they are found, such as in food, air or water. And humans can be exposed to them via many different pathways , including inhalation, ingestion and touch.
There is no federal standard for measuring microplastics in various media, such as water and soil, so studies lack standardized definitions, methods and reporting techniques. In 2023, California launched a microplastic monitoring program , which includes developing a standardized method for measuring microplastics in drinking water.
The Biden administration’s plan calls for developing standardized methods for collecting, quantifying and characterizing microplastics and nanoplastics , which are even smaller. This will help scientists generate consistent data that regulators can use to set limits on microplastics in food, water and air.
All plastics contain chemicals that add properties such as strength, softness, color and fire resistance. A subset of these chemicals, including bisphenols and phthalates , have been linked to adverse health effects that include fetal abnormalities, reproductive health problems and cancer .
Some scientists argue that certain types of plastic waste with particularly harmful ingredients or properties, including PVC, polystyrene, polyurethane and polycarbonate, should be classified as hazardous waste . Currently, the U.S., Europe, Australia and Japan consider items made from these plastics as solid waste and treat them in the same way as kitchen food scraps or used office paper.
The fact that only about 5% of U.S. plastic waste is currently recycled , while 9% is incinerated and 86% is buried in landfills, has sparked calls for assigning some responsibility to plastic producers.
Extended producer responsibility laws , which exist for other products such as paint and electronics, make producers responsible for collecting and disposing of their products or paying part of the costs to manage these wastes. Such requirements give producers incentives to create more environmentally friendly products and support recycling.
As of mid-2024, California, Colorado, Maine and Oregon have adopted extended producer responsibility laws for plastic waste, and about a dozen other states are considering similar measures. Studies show that when such policies are adopted, recycling rates increase .
The Biden administration plan calls for launching a national extended producer responsibility initiative that would allow state, local and tribal governments to develop their own approaches while offering a vision for a harmonized national system and goals for plastic waste management. Support at the federal level could help more jurisdictions enact rules that require producers to help manage these wastes.
Bans on plastic items are a tool to reduce waste generation. Most of these measures apply to items that are used once and discarded, such as shopping bags, food wrappers and plastic bottles. Items like these are the most common plastics in the environment.
The U.S. plan calls for developing strategies to “replace, reduce, and phase out unnecessary use and purchase of plastic products by the Federal Government,” including an end to the purchase of single-use plastic items by 2035. Although this action applies only to use by federal agencies, the U.S. government is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world , so this step can send a powerful signal in favor of alternative products.
Current projections suggest that global plastic production will double by 2040 , with an accompanying surge in plastic waste. In response, 66 countries have formed the High Ambition Coalition , co-chaired by Norway and Rwanda, to support stringent provisions in the global plastics treaty. One of their central goals is limiting global plastic production.
Early in 2024, several nations participating in the treaty negotiations proposed to cut world plastic production 40% below 2025 levels by 2040 . This concept is still under discussion.
Plastic manufacturers and companies reliant on plastic argue that a production cap would drive up the costs of all plastics. Instead, groups like the World Plastics Council are calling for steps that would reduce plastic waste generation, such as using resins with more recycled content and increasing recycling rates.
Through mid-2024, the U.S. had not endorsed a cap on plastic production. However, in August, press reports stated that the Biden administration was changing its position and will support limits , including creating a global list of target chemicals to restrict.
This is a major change that I expect could move more countries to support limits on new plastic production. Details are likely to emerge as the final round of negotiations, scheduled for November 2024 in Busan, South Korea, approaches. The plastics industry strongly opposes limiting production , and Congress would have to ratify a global treaty to make its provisions binding on the U.S. But U.S. support could boost the chances of capping the ever-increasing flow of plastic into the world economy.
This article has been updated to reflect reports that the Biden administration will support limiting future plastic production.
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Plastics have been around for more than 100 years and without a doubt, they have been extremely useful, however when you see them blowing around in the streets causing entanglement in animals, clogging up of drainages causing flooding, posing dangers to animals, such as turtles, birds that ingest them or are strangled by them, especially in marine environments where plastic bags resemble jellyfish then you will realized the need to strongly enlighten the masses on the threat posed by plastic bags pollution and the need to adopt a natural polymers in the production of plastic bags as against the use of organic polymers currently being use.
nono yesyes
This work is designed to study experimentally, the mechanical behaviour of various waste plastic materials in Ghana. The materials studied were low density polyethene (LDPE), high density polyethene (HDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The extrusion process was used to recycle the waste plastic into pellets and injection moulding method used to prepare the pellets into the test specimen. Tensile and bend tests were performed and the results were used to determine the properties of the materials under study. The force and deflection/extension plots obtained, obeyed Hooke's law. From the results, it was observed that, the percentage elongation of the used sachet water plastic (PET) and the black plastic (HDPE) fall within the range of the virgin material whilst the used white plastic (LDPE) falls outside the range. However, the young's moduli and the ultimate strengths of the used plastic materials, differ from those of the virgin materials. The percentage ration of the used and the virgin were then computed to determine their use in engineering field. It was established that, for the ultimate strength, the percentage ratio for HDPE, PET and LDPE were 68.27%, 65.62% and 64.58% respectively. The corresponding moduli of elasticity of the materials as a percentage of the virgin materials were obtained as 48.20% for HDPE , 8.45% for PET and 49.10% for LDPE. The Ultimate tensile strength ranges from the literature, compared with that of some selected plastics commonly used in Ghana: HDPE, PET and LDPE were 68.2694%, 44.922% and 64.576% respectively. Also, the corresponding modulus of elasticity of the materials as a percentage of the virgin materials was obtained as 69.499% for HDPE, 6.684% for PET and 48.68% for LDPE. It was further observed that the percentage elongations of all the materials were within the range as the original material. Hence it can be concluded that HDPE would be a good material to be used for engineering application, for example, as a composite matrix for the construction of wind turbine blade.
Edward Kosior , Radek Braganca
vicky vicky
Science of The Total Environment
John N Hahladakis
While attention on the importance of closing materials loops for achieving circular economy (CE) is raging, the technicalities of doing so are often neglected or difficult to overcome. These technicalities determine the ability of materials, components and products (MCPs) to be properly recovered and redistributed for reuse, recycling or recovery, given their remaining functionality, described here as the remaining properties and characteristics of MCPs. The different properties of MCPs make them useful for various functions and purposes. A transition, therefore, towards a CE would require the utmost exploitation of the remaining functionality of MCPs; ideally, enabling recirculation of them back in the economy. At present, this is difficult to succeed. This short communication article explains how the remaining functionality of MCPs, defined here as quality, is perceived at different stages of the supply chain, focusing specifically on plastic packaging, and how this affects their potential recycling. It then outlines the opportunities and constraints posed by some of the interventions that are currently introduced into the plastic packaging system, aimed at improving plastic materials circularity. Finally, the article underpins the need for research that integrates systemic thinking, with technological innovations and policy reforms at all stages of the supply chain, to promote sustainable practices become established.
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TAN SUET MAY AMELIA
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a well-known biodegradable bacterial polymer. The polymer is produced by some bacteria under stressed growth conditions. In nature, poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] is the most commonly found. Nonetheless, research in PHA has resulted in the production of various copolymers with improved properties and modifications to suit a variety of different applications. Identification of new bacteria strains with the ability to produce novel PHA monomers are still on going. Various cheap and renewable carbon feedstock and growth media have been identified. The production of in PHA in industrial scale fermenters have been fine-tuned using statistical approach. The production efficiency of PHA is still being experimented in order to achieve maximum yield with minimal cost. Among the different applications of PHA, much attention was gained in medical and pharmaceutical fields. This is mainly attributed to the biocompatibility of PHA. However, studies in the application of PHA in agriculture is rather limited. This chapter will survey the efforts of PHA application in agriculture and highlight the successful usage of PHA.
Edwin Gabienu
Nazim Pathan
sciepub.com SciEP
Plastic disposal is one of the greatest problems facing the environment today, as vast amounts of synthetic plastic remain non degradable. A number of microorganisms have the ability to degrade different types of plastic under suitable conditions, but due to the hardness of these polymers and their non-solubility in water, biological decomposition is a slow process. Natural plastics are made from plant and animal sources, or produced by a range of microorganisms, must be introduced. Some bacterial strains can produce and store bioplastics using carbon sources under suitable fermentation conditions. Such biomaterials are called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or biological polyester. They are safe, have no toxic by-products and can be degraded easily by microorganisms.
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Pramod K Sharma , jk vyas , meena as , Abhishek Pawar
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Shabir Hussain Khahro
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Phil Clunies-Ross
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