School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, PR China.
School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, PR China.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Nov 15;951:175614. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175614. Epub 2024 Aug 18.
Plastic and microplastic pollution in the environment has become a significant global concern. Biodegradable plastics (BPs), as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, have also emerged as a crucial topic of global discussion. The successful application of BPs appears to offer a solution to the potential ecological risks posed by conventional plastics. However, BPs have negative impacts on the ecological environment and human health. BPs can gradually degrade into biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) in the environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have become an undeniable source and sink of microplastics. With the production and application of BPs, BMPs will inevitably enter WWTPs. This paper reviews the pollution status, degradation behavior of BMPs, and their potential impact on wastewater treatment performance. The focus is on the environmental behavior of BMPs in wastewater treatment systems. The influences of BMPs on microbial communities, sludge treatment, and disposal are thoroughly discussed. The results indicate that BMPs are more easily decomposed into micro/nanoplastics and release additives compared to conventional microplastics. The effects of BMPs on microbial communities and wastewater treatment depend on their characteristics. The numerous oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of BMPs enable them to serve a dual purpose as transport media and potential sources of environmental pollutants. Finally, in light of existing knowledge gaps, suggestions and prospects for future research on BMPs are proposed.
环境中的塑料和微塑料污染已成为一个重大的全球性问题。可生物降解塑料（BPs）作为传统塑料的环保替代品，也成为了全球讨论的一个关键话题。BPs 的成功应用似乎为传统塑料带来的潜在生态风险提供了一种解决方案。然而，BPs 对生态环境和人类健康具有负面影响。BPs 在环境中会逐渐降解为可生物降解微塑料（BMPs）。污水处理厂（WWTPs）已经成为不可忽视的微塑料来源和汇。随着 BPs 的生产和应用，BMPs 将不可避免地进入 WWTPs。本文综述了 BMPs 的污染状况、降解行为及其对污水处理性能的潜在影响。重点关注 BMPs 在废水处理系统中的环境行为。深入讨论了 BMPs 对微生物群落、污泥处理和处置的影响。结果表明，与传统微塑料相比，BMPs 更容易分解为微/纳米塑料并释放添加剂。BMPs 对微生物群落和污水处理的影响取决于它们的特性。BMPs 表面的许多含氧官能团使其既可以作为传质介质，又可以作为潜在的环境污染物来源。最后，针对现有知识空白，提出了对 BMPs 进行未来研究的建议和展望。
