Occurrence characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in industrial wastewater from key industries in the Taihu Lake Basin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-5641.2026.01.002

Abstract

Abstract:

Microplastic pollution in the natural environment is a significant contemporary ecological challenge, with industrial sources constituting critical emission pathways. In this study, the distribution characteristics of microplastics in wastewaters from key industrial sectors (printing and dyeing, chemical, and electroplating) in the Taihu Lake Basin were investigated. The average microplastic abundance in various industrial wastewaters was found to range from 236.5 to 1348.0 items/L and predominantly comprised polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) in fibrous forms (<1 mm). In municipal wastewater treatment plants, the average microplastic abundance was 84.2 items/L, with the particles exhibiting uniformly distributed shapes dominated by PP and PET (<1 mm). Although statistical similarities in microplastic composition were observed between industrial and treated wastewaters, the actual correlation was weak, suggesting that industrial effluents serve as distinct sources of microplastics. The risk assessment classified printing and dyeing and chemical wastewaters as “extremely hazardous,” whereas electroplating and treated wastewaters were classified as “hazardous.” These findings underscore the need for stringent pollutant-source control and advanced treatment technologies to mitigate microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.

Key words: Taihu Lake Basin, industrial wastewater, microplastics, occurrence characteristics, risk assessment

CLC Number:

Yangyang HU, Chang LIU, Chengjin CAO, Junhao LI, Liuxing WU, Ruiyun ZHU, Minsheng HUANG, Yan HE, Haochen DU, Lei WANG, Xinlin YAN. Occurrence characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in industrial wastewater from key industries in the Taihu Lake Basin[J]. J* E* C* N* U* N* S*, 2026, 2026(1): 14-24.

Figures/Tables 9

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位点编号	废水类型	处理规模/(m³/d)	经纬度
Y1	印染废水	20000	31.7213° N, 120.8573° E
Y2	印染废水	3000	30.8912° N, 120.8316° E
Y3	印染废水	5000	31.7434° N, 119.9934° E
Y4	印染废水	5000	31.7150° N, 120.0937° E
Y5	印染废水	10000	30.8950° N, 120.8308° E
Y6	印染废水	500	31.7193° N, 119.9987° E
H1	化工废水	13.7	31.6648° N, 119.9148° E
H2	化工废水	350	31.4431° N, 119.9343° E
H3	化工废水	600	31.7893° N, 120.8045° E
D1	电镀废水	100	31.6259° N, 120.0736° E
D2	电镀废水	50	31.6927° N, 120.0617° E
G1	混合废水	150000	31.7980° N, 119.8633° E
G2	混合废水	90000	31.5360° N, 120.4513° E
G3	混合废水	50000	31.4819° N, 120.4393° E
G4	混合废水	10000	31.1156° N, 120.3225° E
G5	混合废水	20000	31.7565° N, 119.8615° E
G6	混合废水	30000	31.2238° N, 120.6599° E

名称	英文全称	缩写	危害分数
聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯	Polyethylene Terephthalate	PET	4
聚丙烯	Polypropylene	PP	1
聚乙烯	Polyethylene	PE	11
聚苯乙烯	Polystyrene	PS	30
聚氯乙烯	Polyvinyl Chloride	PVC	10551
聚酰胺	Polyamide	PA	47
聚氨酯	Polyurethane	PUR	7384
聚乙酸乙烯酯	Polyvinyl Acetate	PVAC	1
聚丙烯酸	Polyacrylic Acid	PAA	230

研究地点	废水类型	进水口微塑料丰度/(items/L)	数据来源
广东省	电镀废水	11400±683	文献[19]
重庆市	工业废水	2.20~8.67	文献[20]
武汉市	工业废水	23.3~80.5	文献[44]
常州市	工业废水	129.33±285.39	文献[45]
太湖流域	印染废水	248~2525	本研究
	化工废水	45~424
	电镀废水	193~280
	混合废水	26~130

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