Work

Environmental impact of microplastic emissions from wastewater treatment plant through life cycle assessment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ·yr (1.7 % of the total) indicated the potential loss of species diversity, comparable to other pollutant contributions. Polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene were identified as the most impactful polymer types. In terms of environmental costs and benefits, secondary, tertiary, and primary treatments demonstrated decreasing environmental benefits, directly correlated with their respective MP removal efficiencies. These findings underscore the critical role of MP emissions in WWTP life cycle inventories and highlight the urgent need for targeted environmental policies and advanced treatment technologies to address MP contamination in both natural and engineered aquatic systems.

Source: The Science of The Total Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178378

Authors: Alisher Alibekov, Mira Meirambayeva, Shugyla Yengsebek, Firyuza Aldyngurova, Woojin Lee

Institution: Nazarbayev University

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,250