Landfills as a major point source for microplastic pollution – a pilot study

Prada, Andres

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/114138 Copy

Description

Title

Landfills as a major point source for microplastic pollution – a pilot study

Author(s)

Prada, Andres

Issue Date

2022-04-28

Keyword(s)

• microplastics
• landfill
• wastewater treatment
• biosolids
• plastics
• nanoplastics

Abstract

Recently reported data has shown that microplastics have been found in landfill leachate and groundwaters in proximity to landfills. How microplastics are released from landfills is largely dependent of factors such as landfill age, landfill style (i.e. lined or unlined), conditions, geographical location, and leachate management practices. A common practice for landfill leachate treatment is via conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). However, over 99% of the microplastics entering the WWTP leave the system via the sludge, and the remaining amount is discharged with the effluent. In this pilot study, we aim to investigate the contribution of microplastic inputs to WWTP via landfill leachate and compare these results to those observed for the wastewater influent in the same systems. If our findings show that landfill leachate is a major contributor to microplastic inputs to WWTP, then addressing this issue upstream may be a more efficient and cost-effective strategy to reduce environmental loadings of these emerging contaminants.

Series/Report Name or Number

2022 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC22)

Type of Resource

• text
• still image

Language

en

Permalink

• https://youtu.be/Q4a9-0QDHEA
• http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114138

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