Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Rivers are one of the main conduits for delivery plastics to sea, while also functioning as reservoirs plastic retention. In tropical regions, rivers exposed both high levels pollution and invasion hyacinths. This floating vegetation species forms dense patches at river surface is known trap macroplastics. Recent work suggests that hyacinths play a crucial role in influencing transport, primarily due their effective trapping capacity. However, comprehensive understanding interaction between still lacking. We hypothesize properties relevant transport change hyacinth patches. particular, length scale, defined characteristic size transported material, key property how materials move within rivers; seen large wood studies. Here, we show on average 54\% 77\% all macroplastics Saigon river, Vietnam. As result, mean scale (3.1 m) thirty times larger than only (0.1 m). The implications this increased dynamics yet be fully understood, calling further investigation into travel distances trajectories. effects likely extend other hydraulic plastic-plant aggregates, such buoyancy mass. impacts dynamics, instance by affecting vertical distribution water column. study highlights need monitor aggregates order incorporate interactions Given prevalence plant worldwide, research offers valuable insights complex environmental challenges faced numerous rivers.

Language: Английский