Microplastics in Ship Sewage and Solutions to Limit Their Spread: A Case Study

The case study presented in the paper is first field to find microplastic (MP) particles both grey water (GW) and post-treatment sewage (TS) samples, which can also be legally discharged into specially protected areas. Compiling a data set of 50 samples collected from GW TS 5 transport ships involved study, we show that mean number separated microparticles n = 72 per litre, 51 litre. Of 614 particles, most common were fibres 285 (46.4%), followed by other (various) hard 226 (36.8%) soft 104 (16.8%). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) identification was mainly form polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) (solid films), polyesters, polyamides, acrylic fibres. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis revealed ecotoxic chemical elements on surface these particles. Our results treatment facilities installed need improved, developed solution for this. findings certainly deserve further attention serve as an impetus research improvement ship wastewater facilities.