Microplastic Removal from Urban Wastewater: A Study on the Efficiency of Treatment Plants
Global plastic production has increased significantly in recent decades, leading to growing concerns about plastic waste. One particularly urgent environmental issue is the spread of micro- and nano—plastic particles smaller than 5 mm that originate from the breakdown of plastic products or waste. In addition to posing risks to the environment and human health due to their persistence, these particles can also carry pathogens or release other pollutants. In urban settings, their presence in wastewater is primarily linked to domestic discharges and surface runoff. Since this water is treated in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), it is crucial to assess whether current treatment stages are sufficient to remove microplastics.