Water Research,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
261, P. 122028 - 122028
Published: July 1, 2024
Emerging
evidence
indicates
that
micro-
and
macro-plastics
present
in
water
can
support
a
diverse
microbial
community,
including
potential
human
pathogens
(e.g.,
bacteria,
viruses).
This
interaction
raises
important
concerns
surrounding
the
role
suitability
of
current
bathing
regulations
associated
pathogen
exposure
risk
within
beach
environments.
In
response
to
this,
we
critically
evaluated
available
on
plastic-pathogen
interactions
identified
major
gaps
knowledge.
review
highlighted
need
for
conceptual
shift
management
at
public
beaches
recognising:
(i)
interconnected
environmental
risks,
e.g.,
associations
between
compliance
parameters,
both
contemporary
legacy
plastic
pollution;
(ii)
an
appreciation
co-pollutants
waterside
users.
We
decision-making
framework
identify
options
manage
plastic-associated
risks
alongside
short-
longer-term
research
priorities.
advance
will
help
deliver
improvements
managing
risk,
acknowledging
is
not
limited
only
those
who
engage
water-based
activity.
argue
adopting
these
recommendations
create
integrated
approach
reducing
bathing,
recreational
Resources Conservation and Recycling,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
205, P. 107578 - 107578
Published: April 8, 2024
Freshwater
ecosystems
are
viewed
as
a
key
medium
for
the
transport
of
land-based
plastics
into
oceans.
Microplastic
(MP)
particles
in
freshwater
environments
demonstrate
high
persistence
and
an
extensive
range
size
shape
distributions,
which
make
their
mobility,
distribution,
fate
vary
distinctly
depending
on
prevailing
environmental
conditions.
The
inherent
physical
properties
different
plastic
polymers
constantly
evolving
at
specific
reaction
rates
due
to
complex
weathering
processes
environment.
This
continuously
alters
underlying
mechanisms
governing
MP
dynamics
further
complicates
ultimate
natural
aquatic
systems.
paper
conducts
comprehensive
review
dynamic
behaviour
MPs
ecosystems,
focusing
investigating
settling,
aggregation,
retention,
suspension
from
source
sink.
We
provide
in-depth
overview
theoretical
foundations
ambient
flows
influential
factors
(i.e.
size,
density,
shape,
composition).
Our
findings
highlight
intricate
interplays
between
behaviours
local
hydrodynamics
water
chemistry,
lead
continuous
evolution
physicochemical
(e.g.,
surface
charge)
through
interactions
with
suspended
solids,
organic
matter,
microorganisms
under
light
wind
exposure.
poses
significant
challenges
predicting
fate.
Gap
analysis
highlights
discrepancy
current
models
based
controlled
laboratory
conditions
environments,
signifying
need
across
wide
(e.g.
simulating
flow
patterns
solution
chemistries
real
bodies).
Further
research
is
needed
expand
field
studies
correlate
environment
abundance
conduct
mesoscale
experiments
that
accurately
reflect
effects
behaviours.
Integrating
detailed
numerical
modelling
tools
essential
understanding
among
various
overall
impact
facilitates
robust
reliable
risk
assessment
control
pollution
management.
Chemical Engineering Journal,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
496, P. 153718 - 153718
Published: July 6, 2024
Microplastics,
particularly
those
in
the
5–20
µm
range,
pose
substantial
risks
aquatic
environments,
yet
effective
removal
techniques
are
limited.
This
study
assesses
two
critical
geometric
parameters
of
a
10
mm
mini-hydrocyclone:
inlet
radius
and
insertion
angle.
Along
with
velocity,
they
optimised
collectively
to
enhance
MPs'
removal.
Computational
Fluid
Dynamics
(CFD)
simulations
using
Mixture
model
Reynolds
stress
were
employed
track
particle–water–air
interactions,
revealing
flow
dynamics
absence
an
air
core.
The
Response
Surface
Methodology
(RSM)
Box-Behnken
design
experiments
was
adopted
assess
impact
operational
determine
optimal
design.
Recovery
efficiency,
concentration
split
rate
recorded
during
compared
CFD
results,
showing
good
agreement
between
simulations.
resulting
novel
achieved
88.53%
MPs
recovery
efficiency
1.83,
which
represents
obvious
improvement
over
commercial
design's
79.97%
1.68.
Simulations
reveal
that
shortens
path
for
through
forced
turbulence
region
modifies
velocity
fields,
enhancing
gradient
within
mini-hydrocyclone's
chamber.
Moreover,
exhibits
more
robust
response
variations,
crucial
advantage
its
application
arrays.
Experiments
further
confirm
matrix
composed
mini-hydrocyclones
achieves
percentage
points
higher
than
mini-hydrocyclones.
These
findings
mark
significant
step
towards
MP
removal,
addressing
environmental
issue.
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
264, P. 104366 - 104366
Published: May 1, 2024
Much
attention
regarding
the
environmental
pollution
by
plastics
had
focused
on
Oceans.
More
recently,
contamination
of
freshwater
ecosystems
has
been
addressed
but
information
from
smaller
rivers
in
moderately
populated
catchments
is
still
comparatively
scarce.
This
study
explored
microplastic
(MP)
occurrence
small
regional
river
Oker,
Northern
Germany
(catchment
area
1822
km
The Science of The Total Environment,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
935, P. 173194 - 173194
Published: May 12, 2024
Plant-based
biochar
was
demonstrated
promising
capability
in
adsorbing
microplastic
particles
(MPs)
within
soil
porous
mediums.
However,
biochar's
function
mitigating
MPs'
vertical
penetration
during
wetting-drying
cycles,
typical
of
seasonal
precipitation
and
evaporation,
remains
uncertain.
Furthermore,
few
studies
have
investigated
the
structures
how
combines
with
soil.
This
study
conducted
column
tests
to
assess
MPs
retention
capabilities
soil-biochar
media
under
saturated
conditions.
The
water
hydrophilic
properties
were
elucidate
impact
cycles.
Additionally,
different
biochar-soil
compared
optimise
structural
design.
Without
biochar,
cycles
resulted
8.74
%
more
escaping
from
samples.
incorporating
15
led
only
around
2
effluent.
Biochar
significantly
enhanced
soil's
MP
absorption
capacity
mitigated
negative
effects
Biochar's
alveolate
morphology
provides
ample
adsorption
sites
creates
complex
flow
paths.
groups
capillarity
by
micropores
facilitated
slower
release
drying,
preventing
crack
propagation
flush
on
particles.
effect
pronounced
higher
content
lower
porosity.
Moreover,
layer
structure
found
improve
removal,
benefiting
long-term
performance
management
functional
layer.
The
ubiquitous
distribution
of
microplastics
(MPs)
in
aquatic
environments
is
linked
to
their
transport
rivers
and
streams.
However,
the
specific
mechanism
bedload
microplastic
(MP)
transport,
notably
stochastic
behaviors,
remains
an
underexplored
area.
To
investigate
this,
particle
tracking
velocimetry
was
employed
examine
continuous
near-bed
movements
four
types
MPs
under
nine
setups
with
different
experimental
conditions
a
laboratory
flume,
emphasis
on
streamwise
transport.
It
found
that
velocity
follows
normal
distribution,
which
can
be
characterized
using
proposed
equations
estimate
ensemble
mean
standard
deviation
MP
velocity.
show
low
relative
errors
∼5%
when
compared
data.
This
study
also
revealed
similarities
movement
sediments
diffusion
process.
A
superdiffusive
regime
observed,
inertia
identified
as
primary
source
this
anomalous
diffusion.
These
results
indicate
adopting
probabilistic
framework
may
provide
promising
avenue
for
improving
numerical
models
enhancing
understanding
behavior.
