Measuring riverine macroplastic: Methods, harmonisation, and quality control

Water Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 235, P. 119902 - 119902

Published: March 20, 2023

River systems are a key environmental recipient of macroplastic pollution. Understanding the sources to rivers and mechanisms controlling fate transport is essential identify tailor measures that can effectively reduce global plastic Several guidelines exist for monitoring in rivers; yet, no single method has emerged representing standard approach. This reflects substantial variability river globally need adapt methods local context goals. Here we present critical review used measure flows rivers, with specific focus on opportunities testing, harmonisation, quality assurance control (QA/QC). studies have already revealed important findings; however, there significant disparity reporting methodologies data. There converge methods, their adaptations, towards greater comparability. be achieved through: i) testing better understand what each how it applied different contexts; ii) incorporating QA/QC procedures during sampling analysis; iii) methodological details data more harmonised way facilitate comparability utilisation by several end users, including policy makers. Setting this as priority now will collection rigorous comparable help frame solutions limit pollution, forthcoming treaty

Language: Английский

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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

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Macroplastic Fate and Transport Modeling: Freshwaters Act as Main Reservoirs

ACS ES&T Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(6), P. 2470 - 2481

Published: May 16, 2024

Macroplastic fate and transport in the freshwater environment are of great concern due to potentially harmful effects macroplastic on plants, animals, humans. Here, we present a modeling approach simulate at country scale based an existing plastic release model. The model was parametrized through available monitoring data results from field experiments applied Swiss rivers lakes. We found that almost all (98%) emissions into remain within Switzerland. After exploring influences weirs, retention rivers, lakes sensitivity analysis, high variability across different catchments rivers. In 22 analyzed scenarios for continuous along each river bank (i.e., beaching), least 70% input water bodies would be retained long-term (about 200 g per km year). Across catchments, dominance "continuous retention" beaching entire length compared with "point weirs or Thus, by level first time, were able confirm concept "rivers as reservoirs" modeling.

Language: Английский

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First insight into the macroplastic storage in a mountain river: The role of in-river vegetation cover, wood jams and channel morphology

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 838, P. 156354 - 156354

Published: May 29, 2022

Macroplastic storage in mountain rivers remains unexplored and it is unknown how river morphology different surface types of areas modulate this process. Therefore, we sampled macroplastic debris stored on the emergent with vegetation cover wood jams a channelized, single-thread reach an unmanaged, multi-thread Dunajec River Polish Carpathians. Total amounts retained these reaches were then estimated basis mean mass deposited unit area each type given reach. Exposed sediments covered herbaceous significantly lower (0.6 0.9 g per 1 m2 average) than wooded islands (respectively 6 113 m2). The exceeded 19, 129 180 times those found islands, exposed sediments. Wooded covering 16.7% 1.5% 43.8% 41.1%, respectively, total amount that reach, whereas practically absent channelized Consequently, 2.4 wider neighbouring 36 greater km length. Our study demonstrated controlled by channel management style resultant morphology, which hydrodynamics longitudinal pattern zones transport retention conveyed flow.

Language: Английский

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The unknown fate of macroplastic in mountain rivers

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 865, P. 161224 - 161224

Published: Dec. 28, 2022

Mountain rivers are typically seen as relatively pristine ecosystems, supporting numerous goods (e.g., water resources) for human populations living not only in the mountain regions but also downstream from them. However recent evidence suggests that river valleys populated areas can be substantially polluted by macroplastic (plastic item >25 mm). It is unknown how distinct characteristics of modulate routes through them, which makes planning effective mitigation strategies difficult. To stimulate future works on this gap, we present a conceptual model transport pathways river. Based model, formulate four hypotheses input, and mechanical degradation rivers. Then, propose designs field experiments allow each hypothesis to tested. We hypothesize some natural catchments accelerate input improperly disposed waste slope Further, specific hydromorphological high flow velocity) rate together with presence shallow coarse bed sediments it channels, accelerating secondary microplastic production. The above act factories, able produce more same amount inputted into them (in comparison lowland have different hydromorphology). produced risks affect transported downstream. challenge manage hypothesized risks, especially particularly exposed plastic pollution due management deficiencies, tourism pressure, poor ecological awareness population lack uniform regional global regulations problem.

Language: Английский

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Spatial accumulation of flood-driven riverside litter in two Northern Atlantic Rivers

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

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Macroplastic transfer dynamics in the Loire estuary: Similarities and specificities with macrotidal estuaries

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 182, P. 114019 - 114019

Published: Aug. 10, 2022

Language: Английский

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Marine Litter Tracking System: A Case Study with Open-Source Technology and a Citizen Science-Based Approach

Sensors, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(2), P. 935 - 935

Published: Jan. 13, 2023

It is well established that most of the plastic pollution found in oceans transported via rivers. Unfortunately, main processes contributing to and debris displacement through riparian systems still poorly understood. The Marine Litter Drifter project from Arno River aims at using modern consumer software hardware technologies track movements real anthropogenic marine (AMD) innovative “Marine Trackers” (MLT) were utilized as they are reliable, robust, self-powered present almost no maintenance costs. Furthermore, can be built not only by those trained field but also with specific expertise, including high school students, simply following instructions. Five dispersion experiments successfully conducted April 2021 December 2021, different types trackers seasons weather conditions. maximum distance tracked was 2845 km for a period 94 days. activity sea integrated use Lagrangian numerical models assisted planning deployments recovery drifters. observed tracking data turn used calibration validation, recursively improving their quality. dynamics litter (ML) Tyrrhenian Sea discussed, along potential open-source approaches “citizen science” perspective both big collection educating/awareness-raising on AMD issues.

Language: Английский

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Gaining new insights into macroplastic transport ‘hotlines’ and fine-scale retention-remobilisation using small floating high-resolution satellite drifters in the Chao Phraya River estuary of Bangkok

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 320, P. 121124 - 121124

Published: Jan. 20, 2023

In river plastic pollution research little is known about the detailed pathways and interruptions that occur during journey of macroplastic debris (>5 cm) from land to sea. Data on fine-scale high-accuracy transport trajectories cycles retention (when macroplastics are trapped, e.g. at a pier) remobilisation needed inform global models as well mechanical cleanup efforts. Though established in marine environment, use floating satellite drifters understand tidal rivers estuaries its infancy. Exploring capacity investigate debris-estuary interactions, this study brings together, one hand, small, sensitive, drifter with, other major riverine-marine habitat Chao Phraya River estuary Bangkok, Thailand. The used grapefruit-sized (n = 5) with minimal drogue (ρ ≈ 0.67 g/cm3) sent their positions up 4 m 5 min spatiotemporal resolution via cellular GSM network for 48 days. This indicates 'hotlines' (positions where will likely pass by river) retention-remobilisation can be studied fine scale. On way through gulf, covering between 9 696 km, got stuck 23 times, spending 80% lifetime retention. Furthermore, it outlined linked environmental factors such bathymetry tides more accurately model behaviour rivers. Finally, shown crossing continuum traced support future investigations so far scarcely evidenced mouth emissions debris.

Language: Английский

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Research priorities on microplastics in marine and coastal environments: An Australian perspective to advance global action

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 205, P. 116660 - 116660

Published: July 8, 2024

Plastic and microplastic contamination in the environment receive global attention, with calls for synthesis of scientific evidence to inform actionable strategies policy-relevant practices. We provide a systematic literature review on research across Australian coastal environments water, sediment biota, highlighting main foci gaps information. At same time, we conducted surveys workshops gather expert opinions from multiple stakeholders (including researchers, industry, government) identify critical directions meet stakeholder needs sectors. Through this consultation engagement process, created platform knowledge exchange identified three major priorities support evidence-based policy, regulation, management. These include need (i) method harmonisation assessments, (ii) information presence, sources, pathways plastic pollution, (iii) advancing our understanding risk harm individuals ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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