Plant-Based Investigation of Microplastics in Constructed Wetland Systems

Öz

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size, have been detected in many receiving environments, particularly aquatic ecosystems. Constructed wetland systems are a system that prevents these particles from reaching receiving environments at high rates in rural areas. The role of constructed wetland plants in microplastic removal, an important component of this system, is not fully understood. Within the scope of this study, the microplastic removal potential of Phragmites australis plants was investigated in a subsurface flow constructed wetland system located in Denizli province. Plant samples, including roots, stems, and shoot tips, collected from both the influent and treated water zones were thoroughly examined for the presence of microplastics. After performing extraction on the plant samples, a higher concentration of microplastics was detected in the influent zone compared to the treated water zone. The highest microplastic concentration was detected in the stems of plants from the influent zone (653.33 MP/g). Similarly, in the treated water zone, stems also exhibited the highest microplastic concentration (623.33 MP/g). The color spectrum of microplastics showed a comparable distribution between the influent and treated water zones, with white-transparent particles being the most abundant. In the influent zone, the proportion of white-transparent microplastics was 84.69% in the body, 69.85% in the root, and 75.76% in the shoot tip. In the treated water zone, the respective proportions were 75.94% in the stem, 70.63% in the root, and 79.19% in the shoot tip. Based on their morphology, microplastics were classified as fibers and films, with fibers being the dominant type across all samples. In the influent zone, the fiber distribution was 79.41% in the root, 66.33% in the stem, and 74.55% in the shoot tip. In the treated water zone, the distribution was 83.33% in the root, 64.17% in the stem, and 67.79% in the shoot tip. Furthermore, chemical analyses of plant parts revealed the presence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE) polymers in the influent zone, whereas PET, PE, and polypropylene (PP) polymers were identified in the treated water zone.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Constructed Wetland
• Microplastic
• Phragmites Australis

Proje Numarası

2021FEBE005

Yapay Sulakalan Sistemlerinde Bitki Temelli Mikroplastik İncelemesi

Öz

Mikroplastikler olarak tanımlanan ve boyutu 5 mm’den küçük olan plastik parçacıklar, sucul ekosistem başta olmak üzere birçok alıcı ortamda tespit edilmektedir. Yapay sulakalan sistemleri, kırsal bölgelerde bu parçacıkların alıcı ortamlara ulaşmasını yüksek oranlarda önleyen bir sistemdir. Bu sistemin önemli bir parçası olan yapay sulakalan bitkilerinin mikroplastik giderimindeki rolü tam anlamıyla bilinememektedir. Bu çalışma kapsamında, Denizli ilinde bulunan bir yüzey altı akışlı yapay sulakalan sisteminde Phragmites australis bitkisinin mikroplastik giderim potansiyeli araştırılmıştır. Giriş ve arıtılmış su bölgesinden toplanan bitki örneklerinin kök, gövde ve sürgün ucu bölgeleri mikroplastik varlığı açısından kapsamlı şekilde incelenmiştir. Bitki numunelerinde gerçekleştirilen ekstraksiyon işlemleri sonrasında giriş bölgesinde, arıtılmış su bölgesine kıyasla daha yüksek miktarda mikroplastik tespit edildiği ortaya çıkmıştır. Giriş bölümünde en fazla mikroplastik yoğunluğuna gövde bölümünde rastlanmıştır (653,33±13,27 MP/g). Arıtılmış su bölgesinde de gövde bölümü en yoğun mikroplastik içeriğine sahip bölüm olarak tespit edilmiştir (623,33±13,86 MP/g). Mikroplastiklerin renk skalası giriş ve çıkış bölgelerinde benzer dağılım göstererek en fazla beyaz-şeffaf renkli mikroplastiklere rastlanmıştır. Girişte beyaz-şeffaf renk dağılımı; gövde (%84,69), kök (%69,85), sürgün ucu (%75,76) iken arıtılmış suda; gövde (%75,94), kök (%70,63), sürgün ucu (%%79,19) şeklindedir. Mikroplastikler şekillerine göre lif ve film olarak tanımlanmıştır. Lif, tüm numunelerde en sık karşılaşılan şekil olmuştur. Girişte lif dağılımı; kök (%79,41), gövde (%66,33), sürgün ucu (%74,55) olarak belirlenmiştir. Arıtılmış suda ise; kök (%83,33), gövde (%64,17), sürgün ucu (%67,79) şeklinde bir dağılım ortaya çıktığı görülmüştür. Ayrıca bitki bünyesinde yürütülen kimyasal analizler sonucunda, giriş bölgesinde polietilen tereftalat (PET) ve polietilen (PE) polimeri; arıtılmış su bölgesinde ise PET, PE ve polipropilen (PP) polimerlerine rastlanmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mikroplastik
• Phragmites Australis
• Yapay Sulakalan

Destekleyen Kurum

Pamukkale Üniversitesi

Proje Numarası

2021FEBE005

Etik Beyan

Hazırlanan makalede etik kurul izni alınmasına gerek yoktur. Hazırlanan makalede herhangi bir kişi/kurum ile çıkar çatışması bulunmamaktadır.

Teşekkür

Bu çalışma Pamukkale Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projesi tarafından 2021FEBE005 nolu proje ile desteklenmiştir.

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