Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) transferred to sludge during water treatment processes, particularly wastewater treatment, enter anaerobic digesters through sludge treatment prior to its final disposal or reuse. MPs retained in digested sludge confirm the presence of MPs during anaerobic sludge digestion. The abundance of MPs in anaerobic digesters varies considerably from 0.02 MPs/g DW to 169,000 MPs/g DW of sludge. MPs’ variability in digested sludge is partly attributed to the influent quality and treatment capacity of a wastewater treatment plant. Fibrous MPs are the most common MPs detected. The MPs in digested sludge usually have sizes less than 1 mm. Common MPs retrieved are those of acrylic, polyamide, polyethylene, polyester, and polyethylene terephthalate. In anaerobic digesters, MPs could interact with organic matter causing increased solubilization, which leads to higher formation of volatile fatty acids. Contrarily, they could impede the digestion of organic matter. They could interact with emerging pollutants and reduce their negative impacts on anaerobic digestion through adsorption on MPs. MPs could change the microbial profiles of anaerobic sludge digesters, favoring some microbes while inhibiting others. Polyamide monomers were found to promote the growth of certain microbes, causing increased biogas production. Inhibitory effects are often due to the leaching of chemicals, particularly bisphenol A, from MPs. MPs undergo morphological and chemical changes in anaerobic digesters. They have thinner surfaces at certain sites and cleavages after digestion. Their abundance reduces after digestion, implying potential degradation or biodegradation. This makes anaerobic sludge digestion a prospective avenue for MP removal through bioaugmentation and sludge pretreatment.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Cesaro, A., Pirozzi, F., Zafırakou, A., & Alexandraki, A. (2022). Microplastics in sewage sludge destined to anaerobic digestion: The potential role of thermal pretreatment. Chemosphere, 309, 136669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136669
Chand, R., Rasmussen, L. A., Tumlin, S., & Vollertsen, J. (2021). The occurrence and fate of microplastics in a mesophilic anaerobic digester receiving sewage sludge, grease, and fatty slurries. Science of the Total Environment, 798, 149287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149287
Chen, H., Zou, Z., Tang, M., Yang, X., & Tsang, Y. F. (2023). Polycarbonate microplastics induce oxidative stress in anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge by leaching bisphenol a. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 443, 130158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130158
Chen, W., Yuan, D., Shan, M., Yang, Z., & Liu, C. (2020). Single and combined effects of amino polystyrene and perfluorooctane sulfonate on hydrogen-producing thermophilic bacteria and the interaction mechanisms. Science of the Total Environment, 703, 135015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135015
Edo, C., González-Pleiter, M., Leganés, F., Fernández-Piñas, F., & Rosal, R. (2020). Fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their environmental dispersion with effluent and sludge. Environmental Pollution, 259, 113837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113837
Franco, A. A., MartĂn-GarcĂa, A. P., Egea-Corbacho, A., Arellano, J. M., AlbendĂn, G., RodrĂguez-Barroso, R., Quiroga, J. M., & Coello, M. D. (2023). Assessment and accumulation of microplastics in sewage sludge at wastewater treatment plants located in Cádiz, Spain. Environmental Pollution, 317, 120689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120689
Fu, S.-F., Ding, J.-N., Zhang, Y., Li, Y.-F., Zhu, R., Yuan, X.-Z., & Zou, H. (2018). Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastic leads to inhibition of anaerobic digestion system. Science of the Total Environment, 625, 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.158
Govani, J., Singh, E., Kumar, A., Zacharia, M., & Kumar, S. (2021). New generation technologies for solid waste management. In: Kumar, S., & Kumar, R., Pandey ABT-CD in B and B (reds). Current developments in biotechnology and bioengineering (pp. 77–106). Elsevier.
Hahladakis, J. N., Velis, C. A., Weber, R., Iacovidou, E., & Purnell, P. (2018). An overview of chemical additives present in plastics: Migration, release, fate and environmental impact during their use, disposal and recycling. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 344, 179–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.10.014
Harley-Nyang, D., Memon, F. A., Jones, N., & Galloway, T. (2022). Investigation and analysis of microplastics in sewage sludge and biosolids: A case study from one wastewater treatment works in the UK. Science of the Total Environment, 823, 153735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153735
Hatinoglu, M. D., & Sanin, F. D. (2022). Fate and effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics during anaerobic digestion of alkaline-thermal pretreated sludge. Waste Management, 153, 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2022.09.016
Horton, A. A., Cross, R. K., Read, D. S., JĂĽrgens, M. D., Ball, H. L., Svendsen, C., Vollertsen, J., & Johnson, A. C. (2021). Semi-automated analysis of microplastics in complex wastewater samples. Environmental Pollution, 268, 115841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115841
Huang, W., Wang, Z., Zhou, Y., & Ng, W. J. (2015). The role of hydrogenotrophic methanogens in an acidogenic reactor. Chemosphere, 140, 40–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.10.047
Iyare, P. U., Ouki, S. K., & Bond, T. (2020). Microplastics removal in wastewater treatment plants: A critical review. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 6, 2664–2675.
Kebibeche, H., Khelil, O., Kacem, M., & Kaid Harche, M. (2019). Addition of wood sawdust during the co-composting of sewage sludge and wheat straw influences seeds germination. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 168, 423–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.10.075
Kelessidis, A., & Stasinakis, A. S. (2012). Comparative study of the methods used for treatment and final disposal of sewage sludge in European countries. Waste Management, 32, 1186–1195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2012.01.012
Kothari, R., Pandey, A. K., Kumar, S., Tyagi, V. V., & Tyagi, S. K. (2014). Different aspects of dry anaerobic digestion for bio-energy: An overview. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 39, 174–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.011
Lares, M., Ncibi, M. C., Sillanpää, M., & Sillanpää, M. (2018). Occurrence, identification and removal of microplastic particles and fibers in conventional activated sludge process and advanced MBR technology. Water Research, 133, 236–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.01.049
Lee, H., & Kim, Y. (2018). Treatment characteristics of microplastics at biological sewage treatment facilities in Korea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 137, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.050
Li, C., & Tang, K. H. D. (2023). Effects of pH and temperature on the leaching of Di (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate and Di-n-butyl phthalate from microplastics in simulated marine environment. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, 13, 3.
Li, L., Geng, S., Li, Z., & Song, K. (2020). Effect of microplastic on anaerobic digestion of wasted activated sludge. Chemosphere, 247, 125874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125874
Liong, R. M. Y., Hadibarata, T., Yuniarto, A., Tang, K. H. D., & Khamidun, M. H. (2021). Microplastic occurrence in the water and sediment of Miri River estuary, Borneo Island. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 232, 342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05297-8
Liu, X., Deng, Q., Du, M., Lu, Q., Zhou, W., & Wang, D. (2023). Microplastics decrease the toxicity of cadmium to methane production from anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge. Sci Total Environ, 869, 161780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161780
Lusher, A., Hurley, R., Vogelsang, C., Nizzetto, L., & Olsen, M. (2018). Mapping microplastics in sludge. Norsk institutt for vannforskning.
Lv, X., Dong, Q., Zuo, Z., Liu, Y., Huang, X., & Wu, W.-M. (2019). Microplastics in a municipal wastewater treatment plant: Fate, dynamic distribution, removal efficiencies, and control strategies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 225, 579–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.321
Mahon, A. M., O’Connell, B., Healy, M. G., O’Connor, I., Officer, R., Nash, R., & Morrison, L. (2017). Microplastics in sewage sludge: Effects of treatment. Environmental Science & Technology, 51, 810–818. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b04048
Meegoda, J. N., Li, B., Patel, K., & Wang, L. B. (2018). A review of the processes, parameters, and optimization of anaerobic digestion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15, 224.
Nagao, N., Tajima, N., Kawai, M., Niwa, C., Kurosawa, N., Matsuyama, T., Yusoff, F. M., & Toda, T. (2012). Maximum organic loading rate for the single-stage wet anaerobic digestion of food waste. Bioresource Technology, 118, 210–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.05.045
Nielsen, J. L., Pedersen, N. K., Peydaei, A., Baudu, E., Fernando, W. E. Y., Gurevich, L., Fojan, P., Wimmer, R., & de Jonge, N. (2019). Potential for biodegradation of microplastics in thermophilic anaerobic digesters. In Anaerobic digestion conference AD16. Delft, Netherlands: Aalborg Universitet.
Pivokonsky, M., Cermakova, L., Novotna, K., Peer, P., Cajthaml, T., & Janda, V. (2018). Occurrence of microplastics in raw and treated drinking water. Science of the Total Environment, 643, 1644–1651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.102
Rasmussen, L. A., Iordachescu, L., Tumlin, S., & Vollertsen, J. (2021). A complete mass balance for plastics in a wastewater treatment plant – macroplastics contributes more than microplastics. Water Research, 201, 117307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117307
Shao, L., Wang, T., Li, T., Lü, F., & He, P. (2013). Comparison of sludge digestion under aerobic and anaerobic conditions with a focus on the degradation of proteins at mesophilic temperature. Bioresource Technology, 140, 131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.04.081
Tang, K. H. D. (2022). Abundance of microplastics in wastewater treatment sludge. Journal of Human, Earth, and Future, 3, 138–146.
Tang, K. H. D. (2023a). Microplastics in agricultural soils in China: Sources, impacts and solutions. Environmental Pollution, 322, 121235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121235
Tang, K. H. D. (2023b). Bioaugmentation of anaerobic wastewater treatment sludge digestion: A perspective on microplastics removal. Journal of Cleaner Production, 387, 135864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.135864
Tang, K. H. D., & Hadibarata, T. (2022). The application of bioremediation in wastewater treatment plants for microplastics removal: A practical perspective. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 45, 1865–1878. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-022-02793-x
Tang, K. H. D., & Hadibarata, T. (2021). Microplastics removal through water treatment plants: Its feasibility, efficiency, future prospects and enhancement by proper waste management. Environmental Challenges, 5, 100264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100264
Vollertsen, J., & Hansen, A. (2017). Microplastic in Danish wastewater: Sources, occurrences and fate. Danish Environmental Protection Agency.
Wainaina, S., Lukitawesa, Kumar Awasthi, M., & Taherzadeh, M. J. (2019). Bioengineering of anaerobic digestion for volatile fatty acids, hydrogen or methane production: A critical review. Bioengineered, 10, 437–458. https://doi.org/10.1080/21655979.2019.1673937
Wang, C., Wei, W., Chen, Z., Wang, Y., Chen, X., & Ni, B.-J. (2022). Polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics distinctively affect anaerobic sludge treatment for hydrogen and methane production. Science of the Total Environment, 850, 158085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158085
Wang, Z., Lin, T., & Chen, W. (2020). Occurrence and removal of microplastics in an advanced drinking water treatment plant (ADWTP). Science of the Total Environment, 700, 134520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134520
Wei, W., Huang, Q.-S., Sun, J., Dai, X., & Ni, B.-J. (2019a). Revealing the mechanisms of polyethylene microplastics affecting anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. Environmental Science & Technology, 53, 9604–9613. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b02971
Wei, W., Huang, Q.-S., Sun, J., Wang, J.-Y., Wu, S.-L., & Ni, B.-J. (2019b). Polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect methane production from the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge through leaching toxic Bisphenol-A. Environmental Science & Technology, 53, 2509–2517. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b07069
Xiang, Y., Xiong, W., Yang, Z., Xu, R., Zhang, Y., Wu, M., Ye, Y., Peng, H., Tong, J., & Wang, D. (2023). Coexistence of microplastics alters the inhibitory effect of antibiotics on sludge anaerobic digestion. Chemical Engineering Journal, 455, 140754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.140754
Zhang, J., Zhao, M., Li, C., Miao, H., Huang, Z., Dai, X., & Ruan, W. (2020). Evaluation the impact of polystyrene micro and nanoplastics on the methane generation by anaerobic digestion. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 205, 111095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111095
Zhang, L., Liu, J., Xie, Y., Zhong, S., & Gao, P. (2021). Occurrence and removal of microplastics from wastewater treatment plants in a typical tourist city in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 291, 125968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125968
Ziajahromi, S., Neale, P. A., Telles Silveira, I., Chua, A., & FDL, L. (2021). An audit of microplastic abundance throughout three Australian wastewater treatment plants. Chemosphere, 263, 128294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128294
Zupančič, G. D., & Roš, M. (2008). Aerobic and two-stage anaerobic–aerobic sludge digestion with pure oxygen and air aeration. Bioresource Technology, 99, 100–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2006.11.054
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Tang, K.H.D. (2024). Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in Anaerobic Digestion of Dewatered Sludge. In: Bhat, S.A., Kumar, V., Li, F., Kumar, S. (eds) Management of Micro and Nano-plastics in Soil and Biosolids. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51967-3_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51967-3_13
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-51966-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-51967-3
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)