The effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on nitrogen removal, extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community in sequencing batch reactor.

Wastewater treatment plants can be nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) sinks and sources. The effects of NPs and MPs on nitrogen removal and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during activated sludge process need further investigation. Results showed that polystyrene NPs (NPS) and 100 mg/L polystyrene MPs (MPS) decreased the specific nitrate reduction rate, resulting in nitrate accumulation.

Adsorption of tetracycline and Cd(II) on polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics with ultraviolet and hydrogen peroxide aging treatment.

Microplastics (MPs) could serve as vectors of antibiotics and heavy metals through sorption and desorption. However, the combined adsorption process of antibiotics and heavy metals on aged MPs has rarely been studied. In this study, combined adsorption/desorption of tetracycline (TC) and Cd(II) on/from polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs, as well as ultraviolet (UV) and HO aged MPs, was investigated.