River export of macro- and microplastics to seas by sources worldwide

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Seas are polluted with macro- (>5 mm) and microplastics (<5 mm). However, few studies account for both types when modeling water quality, thus limiting our understanding of the origin (e.g., basins) sources plastics. In this work, we model riverine microplastic exports to seas identify their main in over ten thousand basins. We estimate that rivers export approximately 0.5 million tons plastics per year worldwide. Microplastics dominant almost 40% basins Europe, North America Oceania, because sewage effluents. Approximately 80% global population live river where macroplastics mismanaged solid waste. These include many African Asian rivers. 10% basins, (as mass) equally important high effluents waste production. Our results could be useful prioritize reduction policies

Language: Английский

---

Plastic does not simply flow into the sea: River transport dynamics affected by tides and floating plants

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 345, P. 123524 - 123524

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in aquatic environments worldwide. Rivers connect terrestrial and marine ecosystems, playing a key role the transport of land-based plastic waste towards sea. Emerging research suggests that estuaries tidal rivers, dynamics play significant retention dynamics. To date, observations these systems have been limited, during single cycles remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated transport, trapping, re-mobilization macroplastics (> 0.5 cm) Saigon River, focusing on short-term individual cycles. We used GPS trackers, released at different stages cycle (ebb, flood, neap, spring). items demonstrated dynamic intermittent behavior. Items spent almost half time (49%) temporarily stopped, mainly due to their entrapment vegetation, infrastructure, or deposition riverbanks. were always re-mobilized within 10 h (85%), leading successive phases stopping transport. Tidal also resulted bidirectional items, with median daily total distance 40 km study reach (8.9 day−1) over four times larger than net (2.0 day−1). The was 21 days (mean = 202 days). In total, 81% retrieved trapped water hyacinths, emphasizing important floating vegetation river With this paper, aim provide data-driven insights into macroplastic tropical river. These are crucial design effective intervention monitoring strategies, estimating emission from rivers

Language: Английский

---

Seasonal variation in plastic litter pollution in mangroves from two remote tropical estuaries of the Colombian Pacific

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 193, P. 115210 - 115210

Published: June 27, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Multi‐scalar interactions between mismanaged plastic waste and urban flooding in an era of climate change and rapid urbanization

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(2)

Published: Dec. 19, 2023

Abstract Mismanaged plastic waste (MPW) and urban flooding are typically considered distinct environmental challenges. However, there notable links between growing quantities of MPW the rising incidence floods in cities. A majority people now live cities, especially along coastlines estuaries where residents both vulnerable to significant sources waste. Predicted increases frequency severity heavy rainfall associated with anthropogenic climate change coincide global MPW, much which is discharged into water bodies sea. Given urgent expanding nature these issues, understanding impacts on solid management vice versa crucial. Social‐ecological systems (SES) thinking calls for a holistic approach relationships interactions human actors can result dynamic emergent outcomes. In this review paper, we make first step towards better by synthesizing emerging quantitative qualitative research particular aspects such interactions. More needed explicitly focuses elaborates interactions, also consider potential relations across scales (from local) over long short timeframes. We conclude that an SES visible novel possibilities interventions context specific sensitive MPW. This article categorized under: Science Water > Environmental Change Human Governance Engineering Planning

Language: Английский

---

Dynamics and functions of microbial communities in the plastisphere in temperate coastal environments

Water Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 264, P. 122207 - 122207

Published: Aug. 3, 2024

Microbial attachment and biofilm formation on microplastics (MPs <5 mm in size) the environment have received growing attention. However, there is limited knowledge of microbial function their effect properties behavior MPs environment. In this study, communities plastisphere were explored to understand ecology as well impact aquatic ecosystems. Using amplicon sequencing 16S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes, we uncovered composition diversity bacterial fungal samples (fiber, film, foam, fragment), surface water, bottom sediment, coastal sand two contrasting areas Japan. Differences taxonomic detected depending sample type (MPs, sand) research site. Although relatively higher gene counts determined MP fragments foams from sites, no significant differences community morphotypes MPs. Given colonization by hydrocarbon-degrading presence pathogens MPs, complex processes taxa influence characteristics MP-associated biofilms, thus, This study highlights metabolic functions microbes which could be key uncovering true plastic debris global ecosystem.

Language: Английский

---

New strategy for closing the plastic loop: Lightweight concrete by the waste of recycled synthetic fibers

Construction and Building Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 423, P. 135896 - 135896

Published: March 20, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Assessing microplastic abundances in freshwater fishes in a subtropical African reservoir

Discover Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: Oct. 28, 2024

Abstract Microplastics are emerging pollutants of global concern, and their presence in the aquatic environment poses a serious risk for biota. While many studies have been conducted on microplastics marine habitats, little research has done freshwater African reservoirs microplastic pollution impacts fish within subtropical regions. To bridge this gap, current study investigated abundances distribution Nandoni reservoir, South Africa, across two seasons (i.e., hot–wet, cool–dry). Fish were randomly sampled using seine gill nets from seven sites reservoir. In laboratory, then sorted according to taxa before dissecting them remove gills gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The organs digested hot hydrochloric acid hydrogen peroxide, classified colours shapes. Among 94 fishes 8 species) examined, detected 86.6% eight species caught. dominant GIT during cool–dry hot–wet seasons, respectively. High found Micropterus salmoides Coptodon rendalli , where fibres transparent colour most dominant. results further showed high benthopelagic feeders highlighting that habitat influences consumption whether directly or indirectly. Significant differences observed feeding zone season all types. Microplastic sources could be due anthropogenic activities such as illegal dumping, fishing, agriculture. Thus, there is need investigation into relation weight, sex body pollution. highlighted ecological factors should taken consideration future management actions aimed at mitigating protecting negative environmental human health.

Language: Английский

---

Impact of Settling and Resuspension on Plastic Dynamics During Extreme Flow and Their Seasonality in Global Major Rivers

Hydrological Processes, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 39(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Environmental contamination by plastics has been receiving considerable attention from scientists, policymakers and the public over last few decades. Though some of models have succeeded in simulating transport fate plastic debris freshwater systems, a complete model is now being developed to clarify dynamic characteristics budget on continental scale. Recently, author linked two process‐based eco‐hydrology models, NICE (National Integrated Catchment‐based Eco‐hydrology) NICE‐BGC (BioGeochemical Cycle), that accounts for both (advection, dispersion, diffusion, settling, dissolution biochemical degradation light temperature), applied this new regional scale also global major rivers. The present study newly incorporated resuspension bedload extending author's previous investigations. simulated results showed large‐sized micro‐plastics were distributed more riverbeds than river water. Although small‐sized are suspended water settle riverbed under normal flow, floods disturb equilibrium completely resuspend Because percentage exported micro‐plastic load stored during flood periods relatively high rivers, amount deposited might be smaller lakes dams. riverine ocean revised was 1.218 ± 0.393 Tg/yr, with macro‐plastic flux 0.793 0.305 Tg/yr 0.426 0.248 within range values, is, 0.41–4.0 Tg/yr. These aid development solutions measures reduction input ocean, help quantify magnitude climate change.

Language: Английский

---

Advancing numerical models for land-to-ocean litter transport: A review of hydrodynamic processes and inland contributions

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 970, P. 179013 - 179013

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Plastic trade-off: Impact of export and import of waste plastic on plastic dynamics in Asian region

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 489, P. 110624 - 110624

Published: Jan. 15, 2024

Language: Английский

---