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Microplastics in advanced biological wastewater treatment plant of Kocaeli, Turkey: point source of microplastics reaching Marmara Sea

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Abstract

Urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major contributors of microplastics (MPs) in the environment, despite achieving relatively high removal percentages. This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of the abundance and characteristics of MPs in wastewater and sludge at various treatment stages at Gebze WWTP located in the Marmara Sea, for the first time. The influent exhibited an average MPs concentration of 70.1 ± 28.6 MPs/L. After undergoing the fine screen and grit chamber units, the MPs concentration significantly reduced to 19.7 ± 3.6 MPs/L, indicating an impressive removal rate of 71.8%. Upon completion of the secondary treatment, the effluent contained 7.1 ± 1.7 MPs/L, resulting in an overall MP removal of 89.9–91.0%. The findings indicated that fibers constituted the predominant particle shape, followed by fragments. Fibers were effectively removed through primary treatment (71.8%), while fragments were efficiently removed during secondary treatment (81.1%). The analysis of sludge samples from the aeration basin and sludge thickening tank revealed higher concentrations, with 14.3 and 25 folds increase compared to the influent, respectively indicating the accumulation of MPs in sludge. Despite the treatment process, it is noteworthy that the effluent still exhibited a significant abundance of fibers. Micro-Raman analysis identified polyethylene and polypropylene as the main polymer types present. Although the WWTP demonstrated a high overall removal rate, an estimated 1022.4 × 106 ± 244.8 × 106 MPs/d were still being discharged with the effluent into the Marmara Sea. Recognizing the potential impact of MPs on marine organisms, measures, such as introduction of tertiary treatment processes, were taken to mitigate this issue.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

MP:

Microplastic

MPs:

Microplastics

WWTP:

Wastewater Treatment Plant

UV:

Ultraviolet

IN:

Influent wastewater

GRE:

Effluent of the grit chamber

AB:

Mixed liquor of the aeration basin

SSE:

Effluent of secondary sedimentation chamber

ST:

Sludge thickening tank

PE:

Polyethylene

PS:

Polystyrene

PP:

Polypropylene

PVC:

Polyvinyl chloride

PET:

Polyethylene terephthalate

PES:

Polyester

PC:

Polycarbonate

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Scientific Research Projects Council of Yildiz Technical University for financially supporting this study under the Project Number FBA-2020-3981. Thanks to SelcukVarol and Kocaeli Water and Sewerage Administration (ISU) for allowing us to collect wastewater samples from Gebze WWTP. Thanks to YoncaTekyıldız and Narin Kara for their support with counting MP particles and determining their physical properties via microscopic examinations.

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  1. Environmental Engineering Department, Civil Engineering Faculty, Yildiz Technical University, Davutpasa, Esenler, 34220, Istanbul, Turkey

    H. Sari Erkan, H. H. Emik & G. Onkal Engin

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Conceptualization: [HSE]; Methodology: [HSE]; Formal analysis and investigation: [HSE, HHE]; Writing—original draft preparation: [HSE]; Writing—review and editing: [GOE, HSE]; Funding acquisition: [HSE]; Resources: [GOE, HSE]; Supervision: [GOE, HSE].

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Sari Erkan, H., Emik, H.H. & Onkal Engin, G. Microplastics in advanced biological wastewater treatment plant of Kocaeli, Turkey: point source of microplastics reaching Marmara Sea. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 21, 1263–1284 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05231-x

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