Nanoplastics Threaten Ecological Environment, Biological Nitrogen Removal Processes

Strategic Insights -

Research has highlighted the widespread presence of microplastics/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) in various environments, posing a significant threat to the ecological environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serve as significant reservoirs of MPs/NPs, which can adsorb activated sludge and continuously accumulate, jeopardizing the stable operation of biological nitrogen removal (BNR) processes. The research focuses on the impacts of MPs/NPs on BNR process performance and elucidates their underlying mechanisms of action.

Key Takeaways:

  • The presence of microplastics/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses a significant threat to the ecological environment and Biological Nitrogen Removal (BNR) processes.
  • MPs/NPs are adsorbed by activated sludge in the biological treatment system and continuously accumulated, jeopardizing the stable operation of BNR processes.
  • The inhibitory effect exerted by MPs/NPs on BNR processes is closely correlated with their polymer type, size, concentration, and duration of exposure.
  • Anaerobic ammonium oxidation processes exhibit higher sensitivity towards MP/NP exposure.
  • MPs/NPs influence microbial activity through various mechanisms, including protein secretion inhibition, competition for substrate adsorption sites, and obstruction of substrate transport channels.
  • The presence of MPs/NPs leads to accumulation of NO and NO, greatly exacerbating the greenhouse effect.
  • The research provides new insights into the impact of MPs/NPs on BNR process and lays the groundwork for developing strategies to mitigate this impact.
  • The study was conducted by researchers from the Beijing University of Technology, led by Ben Ma, and published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.

Statistics:

  • 138696 (the reference number for the study)
  • 494 (the issue number of the Journal of Hazardous Materials journal)
  • 2025 (the year the research was conducted)
  • 100124 (the postal code of the Beijing University of Technology)
  • 1043 Nx (the postal code of the Elsevier company in Amsterdam, Netherlands)
  • 239 (the page number of the Global Warming Focus news report)

Sources:

  • The impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on biological nitrogen removal processes: Exacerbating the greenhouse effect. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2025;494:138696.
  • Beijing University of Technology
  • Elsevier
  • Global Warming Focus
  • NewsRx LLC
  • Journal of Hazardous Materials (www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-hazardous-materials)
  • Elsevier (www.elsevier.com)
  • Ben Ma, Key Laboratory of Water Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People's Republic of China.