Do river garbage patches exist? DOI Creative Commons
Luca Gallitelli, Maciej Liro

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Oct. 22, 2024

MainThe Ocean Garbage Patches (OGPs) are the most evident example of artificial litter accumulation hotspots on ocean's surface1, presenting a unique opportunity for effective removal floating from marine environment2. Recent evidence suggests that can also form water, in sediments and vegetation riverine ecosystems3-8,10. These because rivers act both as carriers land-produced to sea long-term sinks it 3, 5, 7. This trapped poses numerous risks ecosystem functioning human health2, 6.To stimulate future discussion garbage patches (RGPs), defined here concentrated or surface-stored rivers, we outlined their key characteristics comparison ocean (Figure 1). The difference between these two types is individual RGPs cover areas several orders magnitude smaller than OGPs, yet they provide plastic abundances higher. Figure 1. Plastic oceans. In larger panel, left right, flow through dam reservoirs river deltas Most plastics remain within situation further explained panel left. this groynes, riparian vegetation, woody debris, beaver dams illustrated potential local-scale macroplastics rivers. During floods, rising water levels transport out channel, depositing them along riverbanks interacting with elements.For example, concentration Great Pacific Patch (GPGP), which considered oceanic patch highest plastics, reaches 70 kg/km² (0.07 g/m²) 700,000 items/km² (0.7 items/m²) (Table 2 Lebreton et al.,1). contrast, especially riverbanks, exhibit values at least highere.g., 4,8. For instance, amount macroplastic stored wood jams moderately polluted mountain averages 9.5 items 113 grams per m² 4. Although rough estimation, should consider likely an underestimation macrolitter very few studies currently address issue 3,7. existing field modelling works focus oceans 9,11-13. Future research gathering more data (RGPs) estimating global extent, ultimately enabling comparisons OGPs.River ecosystems recently hypothesized function time when large floods not occurring3, 7, 10, such events lead massive erosion RGPs, resulting mobilization3, fragmentation downstream transport7. contributes dispersal macroplastic3,7, production secondary microplastic14, increasing related biota health. It important notice OGPs may be fueled by inputs only receive small portion land-based plastics1,13, given nearshore fragments might reach open ocean, apart sea-based sources13 1).Recent indicated vary considerably depending Due complex hydromorphological land patterns ecosystems, even local scale landscape geomorphological unit, tend localized specific rivers4. contrasts patches, often widespread1, 2. typically surrounded while populated enclosed easier access transportation. increases removing cleanup efforts implementation engineering infrastructure. have significantly surface area compared size location shift over time, making challenging costly. generally stable throughout existence, except during rare periods mobilization caused major floods3,7,10.Future OutlookComparing total versus remains challenging, significant sources pollution available environments incomplete inconsistent. Here, highlight features hotspots, suggesting potentially different opportunities challenges environment. Since abundant plastic, widespread, accessible, scattered, substantially clean-up citizen science initiatives RGPs. Evaluating cost-effectiveness activities could crucial step mitigating addressing pollution.

Language: Английский

Conceptual model of global plants entrapping plastics DOI
Luca Gallitelli, Massimiliano Scalici

Environmental Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 32(4), P. 470 - 484

Published: May 11, 2024

Aquatic plants, seagrasses, macrophytes, mangroves, and riparian vegetation are responsible for some of the most important ecosystem services provided on Earth. Given their role in trapping plastics along rivers, we propose a new service plastic entrapment by global plants. Although research started recently to study plastics, little is known about patterns retention remobilization through different habitats. those gaps, synthesize data plants providing conceptual model describe processes vegetation. Our results demonstrate how has pivotal entrapping across spatial temporal scales, finding higher density rather than adjacent water area. Furthermore, proposed (i.e., Plant Plastic Pathway) highlighting scales release Thus, anticipate our be starting point more sophisticated future studies, putting effort into looking at plastic–vegetation dynamics. may have crucial effect if applied hotspot area detection with clean-up mitigation actions riverine ecosystems.

Language: Английский

Citations

14
Spatial accumulation of flood-driven riverside litter in two Northern Atlantic Rivers DOI Creative Commons
Giorgio Pace, J. Lourenço, Carlos A. Ribeiro

et al.

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 345, P. 123528 - 123528

Published: Feb. 7, 2024

The escalation of litter accumulation in aquatic environments is recognized as an emerging global concern. Although rivers represent the main conduits for land-based waste into oceans, spatial dynamics these systems remain poorly investigated, especially after hydro-climatic extreme events. Floods have been identified major drivers mobilization, including macroplastics, within rivers. However, predicting flood-induced along riverbanks complex due to cumulative interplay multiple environmental (geomorphological and riparian) anthropogenic factors. Using empirical data collected from 14 stream reaches two Northern Atlantic Portugal, our study evaluates which factors, among geomorphological, riparian, descriptors, best drive riverside floods. Taking account longitudinal gradient heterogeneity studied reaches, enhances how characteristics (type, size) vary across a rural-urban continuum. Our model reveals that combination human population density slope at river reach showed highest explanatory power litter. findings indicate tends be retained close source, even under flood conditions. We also found structure riparian vegetation low accumulation. trapping could influenced by input (density type) varies with activities. This work highlights importance gathering field identify critical areas basins. can further support managers designing implementing effective cleanup campaigns plastic recovery strategies specific areas. Nevertheless, it crucial enhance coordinated efforts entire value chain reduce pollution, promote innovative approaches valorization, establish prevention pathways.

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Monitoring macroplastics in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: Expert survey reveals visual and drone-based census as most effective techniques DOI Creative Commons
Luca Gallitelli, Pierre Girard, Umberto Andriolo

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 955, P. 176528 - 176528

Published: Sept. 25, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Preliminary assessment of waste accumulation along riverbanks in Italy DOI
Tomaso Fortibuoni,

Stefania Di Vito,

Elisa Scocchera

et al.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Plastic hotspot areas in riverine habitats: riparian vegetation diversity and structure entrap riverine plastics DOI Creative Commons
Luca Gallitelli, Maurizio Cutini, Giulia Cesarini

et al.

Current Plant Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100450 - 100450

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Riparian vegetation plastic monitoring: A harmonized protocol for sampling macrolitter in vegetated riverine habitats DOI Creative Commons
Luca Gallitelli, Maurizio Cutini, Massimiliano Scalici

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 912, P. 169570 - 169570

Published: Dec. 23, 2023

Many studies highlighted that rivers transported land-based plastics to the sea. However, most of litter remains stuck in fluvial ecosystem, also blocked by vegetation. To date, research on riverine macrolitter focused floating and riverbank monitoring, thus methods sample have been developed. Concerning rivers, few recent role riparian vegetation entrapping plastics. Given represents a large part ecosystems dynamics entrapped are neglected, it appears pivotal study more detail how contributes plastic retention. as current protocols guidelines considered only without providing standardized updated strategies monitor vegetation, here we aimed develop new protocol tools assess Specifically, unveiling three-tridimensional structure relation occurrence, while considering seasonal hydromorphological aspects. investigate trapping effect developed three-dimensional index (3DVI) related The 3DVI considers plant (i.e., number branches) diversity species). test 3DVI, conducted an in-situ case central Italy. We found both primary secondary litter. In detail, correlated with plastics, highlighting densest diverse communities trap Furthermore, provided for first time assessment seasonality macroplastic entrapment preliminary quantification wind-blown Our results should be interest promote development harmonized monitoring habitat management conservation.

Language: Английский

Citations

10
Plastic-wood jams: macroplastic deposition on woody debris in a Mediterranean mountain river and its similarities to temperate ecosystems DOI
Maciej Liro, Luca Gallitelli

Hydrobiologia, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 6, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Riparian vegetation entraps macroplastics along the entire river course: implications for eco-safety activities and mitigation strategies DOI Creative Commons
Luca Gallitelli, Maurizio Cutini, Giulia Cesarini

et al.

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 120224 - 120224

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Do river garbage patches exist? DOI Creative Commons
Luca Gallitelli, Maciej Liro

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Oct. 22, 2024

MainThe Ocean Garbage Patches (OGPs) are the most evident example of artificial litter accumulation hotspots on ocean's surface1, presenting a unique opportunity for effective removal floating from marine environment2. Recent evidence suggests that can also form water, in sediments and vegetation riverine ecosystems3-8,10. These because rivers act both as carriers land-produced to sea long-term sinks it 3, 5, 7. This trapped poses numerous risks ecosystem functioning human health2, 6.To stimulate future discussion garbage patches (RGPs), defined here concentrated or surface-stored rivers, we outlined their key characteristics comparison ocean (Figure 1). The difference between these two types is individual RGPs cover areas several orders magnitude smaller than OGPs, yet they provide plastic abundances higher. Figure 1. Plastic oceans. In larger panel, left right, flow through dam reservoirs river deltas Most plastics remain within situation further explained panel left. this groynes, riparian vegetation, woody debris, beaver dams illustrated potential local-scale macroplastics rivers. During floods, rising water levels transport out channel, depositing them along riverbanks interacting with elements.For example, concentration Great Pacific Patch (GPGP), which considered oceanic patch highest plastics, reaches 70 kg/km² (0.07 g/m²) 700,000 items/km² (0.7 items/m²) (Table 2 Lebreton et al.,1). contrast, especially riverbanks, exhibit values at least highere.g., 4,8. For instance, amount macroplastic stored wood jams moderately polluted mountain averages 9.5 items 113 grams per m² 4. Although rough estimation, should consider likely an underestimation macrolitter very few studies currently address issue 3,7. existing field modelling works focus oceans 9,11-13. Future research gathering more data (RGPs) estimating global extent, ultimately enabling comparisons OGPs.River ecosystems recently hypothesized function time when large floods not occurring3, 7, 10, such events lead massive erosion RGPs, resulting mobilization3, fragmentation downstream transport7. contributes dispersal macroplastic3,7, production secondary microplastic14, increasing related biota health. It important notice OGPs may be fueled by inputs only receive small portion land-based plastics1,13, given nearshore fragments might reach open ocean, apart sea-based sources13 1).Recent indicated vary considerably depending Due complex hydromorphological land patterns ecosystems, even local scale landscape geomorphological unit, tend localized specific rivers4. contrasts patches, often widespread1, 2. typically surrounded while populated enclosed easier access transportation. increases removing cleanup efforts implementation engineering infrastructure. have significantly surface area compared size location shift over time, making challenging costly. generally stable throughout existence, except during rare periods mobilization caused major floods3,7,10.Future OutlookComparing total versus remains challenging, significant sources pollution available environments incomplete inconsistent. Here, highlight features hotspots, suggesting potentially different opportunities challenges environment. Since abundant plastic, widespread, accessible, scattered, substantially clean-up citizen science initiatives RGPs. Evaluating cost-effectiveness activities could crucial step mitigating addressing pollution.

Language: Английский

Citations

2