Abstract
This paper presents a method for microplastic (MP) mass quantification using a Focal Plane Array-based Fourier Transform Infrared imaging technique. It discusses the issue that particle number is not a conserved base quantity and hence less suited than mass to compare independent studies on MP in the environment. It concludes that MP mass should be included when quantifying MP pollution in the environment, supplementing the conventional approach of reporting particle numbers. Applying mass as the unit of MP measurement, the paper presents data showing that Danish wastewater treatment plants discharge around 3 t/year of MP in the size range 10–500 μm. This value corresponds to an annual per capita emission from these plants of 0.56 g MP/(capita year). The distribution of polymer types by mass and particle number differed because the size of MP particles of the different material types varied.
Highlights
Plastic is a versatile material which can be manufactured to suit multifarious applications, making its usage unavoidable in modern life (Andrady, 2011)
This means that 16.3% of all the particles in raw wastewater regarding particle number and 28.4% regarding particle mass were associated with contamination
MP concentration of raw wastewater was below detection limit in the sample from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) 10 (Table 1)
Summary
Plastic is a versatile material which can be manufactured to suit multifarious applications, making its usage unavoidable in modern life (Andrady, 2011). Primary MP is used as raw material in the production of plastic items and additives in cosmetic products, whereas secondary MP is formed by the physical or photooxidative breakdown of larger plastic items (Andrady, 2011). Both primary and secondary MP has been found in the marine environment as well as in freshwater systems. Studies have shown that despite the high retention of MP in WWTPs, a considerable number of these particles enters the environment due to the high flux of wastewater (Murphy et al, 2016)
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