A review of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants in Türkiye: Characteristics, removal efficiency, mitigation strategies for microplastic pollution and future perspective

Abstract

The effluent of WWTPs is an important source of microplastics (MP) for the aquatic environment. In this review study, MPs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Türkiye and their removal from WWTPs are reviewed for the first time. First, MP characteristics in the influent and effluent of WWTPs in Türkiye are discussed. In the next section, the abundance of MPs in the influent and effluent of WWTPs in Türkiye and the MP removal efficiency of WWTPs in Türkiye are evaluated. Then, the results of studies on MP abundance and characteristics in Türkiye's aquatic environments are presented and suggestions are made to reduce MPs released from WWTPs into the receiving environments. Strategies for reducing MPs released to the receiving environment from WWTPs of Türkiye are summarized. In the last section, research gaps regarding MPs in WWTPs in Türkiye are identified and suggestions are made for future studies. This review paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the abundance, dominant characteristics, and removal of MPs in WWTPs in Türkiye, as well as the current status and deficiencies in Türkiye. Therefore, this review can serve as a scientific guide to improve the MP removal efficiency of WWTPs in Türkiye. HIGHLIGHTS Although WWTPs in Türkiye have high MP removal efficiencies, they cannot remove 100% of MP from wastewater.; Millions of MPs are released into aquatic environments every day from WWTPs in Türkiye.; In general, the dominant shape and size of MPs released to the aquatic environment from WWTPs in Türkiye are fiber and 0.5 mm, respectively.; Both citizens and the government have responsibilities to reduce MP emissions from WWTPs in Türkiye.;

Keywords

• aquatic environment
• characteristic
• microplastic
• removal efficiency
• türkiye
• wastewater treatment plant