Abstract
Microplastics (MP) have become a concern owing to their increasing detection in the environment and potential impact on ecosystems. One of the main MP reservoirs is sludge generated during wastewater treatment. Estimates suggest that, through sludge settling, treatment processes remove between 80 and 90 % of MP present in wastewater. Nevertheless, reliable measurements of actual plastics loads retained by sludge are still lacking for management purposes. Hence, our goal was to validate a quick method for MP quantitation in sludge. Recovery tests were conducted with red low-density polyethylene (LDPE) fragments whose sizes ranged between 5 to 1 mm, 1 to 0.5 mm and 500 to 150 μm. For each size fraction, either 10 or 100 LDPE fragments were spiked into wet sludge (50 mL). Subsequent LDPE analysis involved steps such as freeze-drying, sieving, Fenton purification, visual shorting and FTIR identification. When expressed as number of fragments, quantitative (i.e. percentage values between 80 and 100) were obtained regardless of size fraction or initial spiked number. In terms of total spiked LDPE weight, however, recoveries consistently exceeded 100 % because LDPE fragments retained other materials. Such residues contributed to an overestimation of MP by weight up to 33 % of the 500−150 μm fraction.•Method was validated by spiking LDPE fragments.•Recoveries based on MP number showed good precision and accuracy.•Residues attached to MP resulted in overestimated recoveries by MP weight up to 33 %.
Highlights
Either 10 or 100 low-density polyethylene (LDPE) fragments were spiked into wet sludge (50 mL)
Method was validated by spiking LDPE fragments
Purification of LDPE fragments separated into the supernatant and sludge pellets was done in 250-mL glass beakers by directly adding 20 mL of Fenton’s reagent (0.05 M) and 20 mL of H2O2 (30 %) to each freeze-dried fraction [2]
Summary
Either 10 or 100 LDPE fragments were spiked into wet sludge (50 mL). Subsequent LDPE analysis involved steps such as freeze-drying, sieving, Fenton purification, visual shorting and FTIR identification. When expressed as number of fragments, quantitative (i.e. percentage values between 80 and 100) were obtained regardless of size fraction or initial spiked number.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
