Plastic Waste Management: Microplastic Phytoextraction from Textile Waste Sludge Using Lemna Minor
摘要
Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant global concern due to their widespread presence, potential harm to ecosystems, and ability to enter biological systems. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge, rich in fibrous-shaped MPs, is a primary source of MPs in terrestrial environments. Managing MPs in soil from WWTP sludge presents significant challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective management solutions for this waste stream. This study aimed to assess the potential of duckweed (Lemna minor), an aquatic macrophyte, in phytoextracting MPs from textile waste sludge. Preparation of dry samples and wet peroxide oxidation processes were done for the identification of fiber-shaped MPs in selected sludge. Microscopic analysis revealed an average MP concentration of 2.2 particles per gram in the selected textile waste sludge, primarily in a fibrous form. Lemna minor was cultivated in the sludge samples. As the plants matured, a steady increase in fibrous-shaped MPs phytoextraction was evident, with concentrations reaching 1.3 MPs per plant after 7 days, 5.6 MPs per plant after 21 days, and 9.2 MPs per plant after 45 days. The visual sorting method was carried out to count MPs using an optical microscope. These results highlighted the proficiency of Lemna minor in MP phytoextraction through an eco-friendly and economically viable process to mitigate MP contamination from textile waste sludge. Once these macrophytes reach their maximum biomass yield, it is recommended to harvest and burn them in available burning facilities. The resulting remediated sludge can be used as a fertilizer. In addition, attention should be directed toward industrial plants with potential for textile fiber production, such as corn, wheat, hemp, and bamboo, to offer a more comprehensive solution to MP phytoextraction aligned with circular economy principles. This study demonstrates the potential of using Lemna minor for effective MP remediation from textile waste, contributing to sustainable waste management practices.