Rivers as Plastic Reservoirs

Frontiers in Water, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: Jan. 26, 2022

Land-based plastic waste, carried to the sea through rivers, is considered a main source of marine pollution. However, most plastics that leak into environment never make it ocean. Only small fraction are found in terrestrial and aquatic compartments river systems emitted, vast majority can be retained for years, decades, potentially centuries. In this perspective paper we introduce concept as reservoirs. Under normal conditions, hydrometeorological variables (such wind, runoff discharge) mobilize, transport deposit within different (e.g., riverbanks, floodplains, lakes, estuaries). The emptying these reservoirs primarily occurs under extreme hydrological conditions storms, floods). specifically focus on retention mechanisms compartments, their effect fate accumulated various timescales. We aim rivers (long-term) sinks pollution, provide suggestions future research directions.

Language: Английский

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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

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Accumulation, transformation and transport of microplastics in estuarine fronts

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3(11), P. 795 - 805

Published: Nov. 9, 2022

Language: Английский

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Deep learning for detecting macroplastic litter in water bodies: A review

Water Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 231, P. 119632 - 119632

Published: Jan. 16, 2023

Plastic pollution in water bodies is an unresolved environmental issue that damages all aquatic environments, and causes economic health problems. Accurate detection of macroplastic litter (plastic items >5 mm) essential to estimate the quantities, compositions sources, identify emerging trends, design preventive measures or mitigation strategies. In recent years, researchers have demonstrated potential computer vision (CV) techniques based on deep learning (DL) for automated bodies. However, a systematic review describe state-of-the-art field lacking. Here we provide such review, highlight current knowledge gaps suggest promising future research directions. The compares 34 papers with respect their application modeling related criteria. results show employed variety DL architectures implementing different CV detect various environments. key must be addressed overcome lack of: (i) DL-based models sufficient generalization capability, (ii) quantification (mass) fluxes hotspots (iii) scalable monitoring strategies robust quantification. We advocate exploration data-centric artificial intelligence approaches semi-supervised develop improved capabilities. These can boost development new methods hotspots, allow structural leverage While identified concern water, recommend increased efforts riverine ecosystems, considering major role transport storage litter.

Language: Английский

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River plastic transport and deposition amplified by extreme flood

Nature Water, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 1(6), P. 514 - 522

Published: June 15, 2023

Abstract Plastic pollution in the world’s rivers and ocean is increasingly threatening ecosystem health human livelihood. In contrast to what commonly assumed, most mismanaged plastic waste that enters environment not exported into ocean. Rivers are therefore only conduits but also reservoirs of pollution. mobilization, transport retention dynamics influenced by hydrological processes river catchment features (for example, land use, vegetation morphology). Increased discharge has been associated with elevated rates, although exact relation between two can vary over time space. However, precise role an extreme event on still unknown. Here we show fluvial floods drive macroplastic (>2.5 cm) (items h −1 ) accumulation m −2 systems. We collected unique observational evidence during July 2021 flood along whole Dutch part Meuse. multiplied a factor 100 compared non-flood conditions (3.3 × 10 4 versus 2.3 2 items ). Over one-third modelled annual item was estimated occur within 6 days discharge. Between Maastricht Ravenstein (291 km 131 from mouth), period decreased 90%, suggesting dispersal mobilized limited due entrapment riverbanks, floodplains. riverbanks significantly river, corroborating river’s function as reservoir. Using new evidence, demonstrate crucial drivers Floods amplify mobilization plastics, effects local, river-scale limited. anticipate our findings will serve starting point for improving global estimates transport, export sea. Moreover, results provide essential insights future large-scale long-term quantitative assessments Reliable observations fundamental understanding key designing effective prevention reduction strategies.

Language: Английский

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Proof of concept for a new sensor to monitor marine litter from space

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: June 14, 2024

Abstract Worldwide, governments are implementing strategies to combat marine litter. However, their effectiveness is largely unknown because we lack tools systematically monitor litter over broad spatio-temporal scales. Metre-sized aggregations of floating debris generated by sea-surface convergence lines have been reported as a reliable target for detection from satellites. Yet, the usefulness such ephemeral, scattered proxy sustained, large-scale monitoring remains an open question dedicated Earth-Observation mission. Here, track this series 300,000 satellite images entire Mediterranean Sea. The mainly related recent inputs land-based sources. Despite limitations in-orbit technology, detections sufficient map hot-spots and capture trends, providing unprecedented source-to-sink view phenomenon. Torrential rains control inputs, while coastal boundary currents wind-driven surface sweep arise key drivers its distribution ocean. Satellite-based proves be real game changer research management. Furthermore, development ad-hoc sensor can lower minimum detectable concentration one order magnitude, ensuring operational monitoring, at least seasonal-to-interannual variability in mesoscale.

Language: Английский

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Limited dispersal of riverine litter onto nearby beaches during rainfall events

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 251, P. 107186 - 107186

Published: Jan. 22, 2021

Language: Английский

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Microplastic and microfiber fluxes in the Seine River: Flood events versus dry periods

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 805, P. 150123 - 150123

Published: Sept. 4, 2021

Language: Английский

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Macroplastics in rivers: present knowledge, issues and challenges

Environmental Science Processes & Impacts, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 23(4), P. 535 - 552

Published: Jan. 1, 2021

The contextualization of macroplastics in a budget framework can help to improve our understanding the physical processes determining macroplastic behaviour and impacts rivers. Hence, better management practices be adopted.

Language: Английский

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Riverine litter in a small urban river in Marseille, France: Plastic load and management challenges

Waste Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 140, P. 154 - 163

Published: Jan. 25, 2022

Language: Английский

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