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<p>Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are increasingly recognized as key point sources of microfibers (MFs) entering freshwater systems. This study investigates the influence of WWTP effluent on the spatial distribution of MFs in the Danube River at Budapest by quantifying their concentrations downstream of the city’s main WWTP and examining their lateral and vertical variability. Water samples were collected by a pump sampler in November 2024 at two cross-sections located ~ 500&#xa0;m and 5&#xa0;km downstream of the effluent discharge, across three transects (right bank, mainstream, left bank) and three depths (surface, mid-depth, near-bottom). Microfibers were isolated and individually characterized using a stereomicroscope, a fluorescence microscope, and an FTIR spectrometer. The results revealed markedly elevated MF concentrations in the effluent of the WWTP (2290 ± 404 MFs/m<sup>3</sup>), approximately 10–30 times higher than in river water. Due to dilution, deposition, and dispersion effects, the MF concentrations in the investigated cross-sections located 0.5 and 5&#xa0;km downstream of the treated wastewater outlet ranged from 63–199 and 29–75 MFs/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. Spatial heterogeneity was evident both across and within the water column: surface layers generally contained the highest MF concentrations, while near-bottom samples showed reduced concentrations. Banks exhibited higher MF abundances than the mainstream, reflecting localized accumulation driven by hydrodynamic conditions. Cellulose-based MFs dominated the samples, suggesting a significant contribution from textile-derived wastewater sources. Among the petroleum-based MFs, polyester was dominant, followed by polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, and polyamide. These findings confirm that WWTP effluents substantially contribute to MF contamination in large river systems and underscore the limitations of current wastewater treatment in fully retaining MFs.</p>

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Invisible threads in the current: tracking the journey of microfibers from Budapest’s Central wastewater plant into the Danube

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月6日

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  • Sirat Sandil,
  • Davaakhuu Tserendorj,
  • Pegah Jahanpeyma,
  • Flóra Pomázi,
  • Ágnes Károly,
  • Péter Dobosy,
  • Gyula Záray

摘要

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are increasingly recognized as key point sources of microfibers (MFs) entering freshwater systems. This study investigates the influence of WWTP effluent on the spatial distribution of MFs in the Danube River at Budapest by quantifying their concentrations downstream of the city’s main WWTP and examining their lateral and vertical variability. Water samples were collected by a pump sampler in November 2024 at two cross-sections located ~ 500 m and 5 km downstream of the effluent discharge, across three transects (right bank, mainstream, left bank) and three depths (surface, mid-depth, near-bottom). Microfibers were isolated and individually characterized using a stereomicroscope, a fluorescence microscope, and an FTIR spectrometer. The results revealed markedly elevated MF concentrations in the effluent of the WWTP (2290 ± 404 MFs/m3), approximately 10–30 times higher than in river water. Due to dilution, deposition, and dispersion effects, the MF concentrations in the investigated cross-sections located 0.5 and 5 km downstream of the treated wastewater outlet ranged from 63–199 and 29–75 MFs/m3, respectively. Spatial heterogeneity was evident both across and within the water column: surface layers generally contained the highest MF concentrations, while near-bottom samples showed reduced concentrations. Banks exhibited higher MF abundances than the mainstream, reflecting localized accumulation driven by hydrodynamic conditions. Cellulose-based MFs dominated the samples, suggesting a significant contribution from textile-derived wastewater sources. Among the petroleum-based MFs, polyester was dominant, followed by polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, and polyamide. These findings confirm that WWTP effluents substantially contribute to MF contamination in large river systems and underscore the limitations of current wastewater treatment in fully retaining MFs.