Microplastics in municipal tap water of Wrocław, Poland: A pilot assessment of occurrence, morphology and polymer type

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as emerging contaminants in drinking water, yet data from Central Europe remain scarce. This pilot study provides the first preliminary quantitative assessment of MPs occurrence in municipal tap water in Wrocław, Poland, a region reliant on tap water for drinking purposes. Composite samples were collected from residential buildings and processed using Fenton oxidation and high-density ZnCl ₂ separation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for analysis. Empirical cumulative distribution functions (ECDFs) of particle size distribution were plotted on a logarithmic diameter scale. MP concentrations ranged from 23 to 45 particles/L, with fibers representing the dominant morphology. FTIR identification revealed that polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were the most abundant polymers. These findings provide preliminary occurrence data from five residential composite samples and methodological information for future larger-scale monitoring.