Browsing by Subject "microplastics"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Access status: Open Access ,
Investigating the content of microplastics and other extraneous particles in Polish bottled water
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2023) Aleksander-Kwaterczak, Urszula; Gaj, Dominika; Stelmach, Alex; Wróbel, Tomasz P.
Bottled water has enjoyed a global increase in popularity since it is generally perceived to be superior in quality to tap water and necessary when tap water is non-potable. As a result, ensuring that it meets the requisite quality standards is of vital importance. This work aims to examine the content of solid particles, including microplastics, in bottled water available in Polish stores. The second aspect is the preliminary determination of the influence of the water gassing process, together with thermal and light factors, on the content of particles in the water. The number of particles was counted by colour and shape, with the number ranging from 87 to 188 per litre of water, on average, there were 136 $\pm$ 32 particles per litre of water, demonstrating that water from disposable plastic bottles is contaminated with various substances. The difference in the number of particles may be due to the origin of the waters, the processes they were subjected to prior to bottling, the properties of the bottles as packaging, and the conditions and length of storage and transport. Additional Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis confirmed that about 75% of the particles were polymers, and 50% of them were plastics. Particularly alarming is the fact that the bottled waters mostly contained microplastic particles (MP) of smaller sizes, the kind which is recognized as being the most dangerous to human health. In the study, most particles were in the form of irregular shapes, which may indicate that they come from the destruction of waste or plastic products. This is also indicated by the domination of colourless particles. More particles were found in waters exposed to high and low temperatures than in waters stored at room temperature, potentially indicating that storage conditions for drinking water are important. Taking into account the results obtained, increasing attention should be paid to the health risks posed by such microplastics and there is a clear need to introduce legal regulations on the matter. The lack of any legal guidelines or unified standards in the field of MP research means that the results are not always representative, and it also makes it difficult to compare the results from different studies.
Access status: Restricted ,
Mikrodrobiny plastiku w wodach butelkowanych – przegląd literatury
(Data obrony: 2019-02-07) Patynowska, Natalia
Wydział Geologii, Geofizyki i Ochrony Środowiska
Celem głównym projektu inżynierskiego jest przegląd i analiza literatury dotyczącej mikrodrobin plastiku znajdujących się w wodach butelkowanych. Woda to substancja, która jest niezbędna by organizm człowieka mógł prawidłowo funkcjonować. W świetle obowiązujących przepisów wody butelkowane przeznaczone do spożycia muszą spełniać rygorystyczne wymagania dotyczące czystości wody, jej pochodzenia, stanu mikrobiologicznego. W ciągu ostatnich lat jakość wody dostarczanej wodociągami wyraźnie wzrosła przy jednoczesnym wzroście spożycia wody butelkowanej. Mimo obowiązujących norm dostępne badania wskazują na obecność tworzyw sztucznych w wodzie butelkowanej w tym mikroplastiku. Autor w niniejszym projekcie podjął próbę charakterystyki mikrodrobin plastiku występujących w wodzie butelkowanej, oraz wpływ występowania tych substancji na zdrowie człowieka oraz organizmy wodne. Praca ma charakter przeglądowy/kompilacyjny, wykorzystano w niej metodę analizy danych zastanych tj. publikacje, raporty, dostępne dane statystyczne.
Access status: Open Access ,
Tracking nonregulated micropollutants in sewage sludge: antimicrobials, OH-PAHs, and microplastics — environmental risks, fertilizer implications and energy considerations
(2025) Styszko, Katarzyna; Bolesta, Wioleta; Worek, Jagoda; Prus, Zuzanna; Cwynar, Karolina; Pyssa, Justyna; Uchmanowicz, Dominika; Frydel, Laura; Daso, Adegbenro Peter; Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki Przemysłowej; Wydział Energetyki i Paliw
This study analysed the content of selected antimicrobials agents (AAs), microplastics (MP), hydroxyl derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) in stabilized sewage sludge and fertilizers produced from them. Eighteen AAs were identified and quantified in both sewage sludge and fertilizer samples using the LC-MS/MS method. The highest concentrations, exceeding 3,000 µg kg⁻¹, were found for sulfasalazine, clindamycin, ketoconazole and its deacetylated form, azithromycin, and desmethylated azithromycin. While the fertilizer production process successfully reduced the number of AAs present, 20 compounds persisted, with five exceeding 1,000 µg kg⁻¹, posing potential environmental concerns. The FTIR method revealed an average MP content of 2,429 ± 758 fractions in stabilized sewage sludge. Both black and colored microplastic fragments were detected, with an average of 1,070 and 665 particles, respectively. These findings suggest that microplastic contamination remains an issue even after sewage sludge stabilization. GC-MS/MS analysis identified six OH-PAHs in sewage sludge and fertilizer samples. In stabilized sewage sludge, concentrations ranged from 53 µg kg⁻¹ (2-HydroxyFluorene) to 587 µg kg⁻¹ (1-HydroxyNaphthalene), while in fertilizers, values ranged from 4.7 µg kg⁻¹ (2-HydroxyNaphthalene) to 31 µg kg⁻¹ (1-HydroxyPyrene). The fertilizer production process effectively removed from 46% to 88% of OH-PAHs, with 3-OH-BaP levels falling below detection limits. Despite the effectiveness of the fertilizer production process in reducing several contaminants (e.g., sulfamethoxazole, metronidazole, trimethoprim, pyrazinamide, sulfadiazine, delamanid, and piperacillin), certain pollutants, including clindamycin and ketoconazole, persisted. Additionally, the economic analysis of the annual profitability of processing sewage sludge into a fertilizer product was performed. The estimated costs and profits were taken into account. This analysis indicates that the total annual income from the operation of the installation will amount to USD 233,300. However, further research is needed to fully investigate and develop this method in reference of Circular Economy management.