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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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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Coastal and marine plastic litter monitoring using remote sensing: A review

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 279, P. 108160 - 108160

Published: Nov. 16, 2022

Language: Английский

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Riverine macroplastic gradient along watercourses: A global overview

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Aug. 4, 2022

Nowadays, plastics represent growing concern in aquatic habitats, harming more and both ecosystem human health. Since rivers are the main carriers of to sea, some studies were conducted on transport overall small plastics, but observations big (i.e., macroplastics) poorly reported literature. Although most focused plastic lower part rivers, research upper middle zones completely lacking. In this regard, could influence with insights into source origin macroplastics. Here, we aimed at overviewing macroplastic distribution along emphasizing global riverine hotspot areas. First, 1) analyzed discussed bibliometric analysis macroplastics providing a framework for pollution management. second, 2) provided geographical by mapping Then, 3) factors affecting accumulation rivers. Furthermore, 4) assessed crucial gaps accumulation, highlighting importance gradient horizontal entire river course three zones). 5) highlighted lack standardization regarding size, concentration, polymers that does not allow valuable comparisons among studies. At end, 6) concluded future perspectives conclusions worldwide. Our results might provide new comprehensive suggesting rod approach as way monitoring all complete plays pivotal role accumulating

Language: Английский

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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 pollution in marine and freshwater environments: abundance, sources, and mitigation

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 241 - 274

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Language: Английский

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Amsterdam urban water system as entry point of river plastic pollution

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 30(29), P. 73590 - 73599

Published: May 16, 2023

Accumulation of plastic litter in aquatic environments negatively impacts ecosystems and human livelihood. Urban areas are assumed to be the main source pollution these because high anthropogenic activity. Yet, drivers emissions, abundance, retention within systems subsequent transport river poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that urban water function as major contributors pollution, explore potential driving factors contributing dynamics. Monthly visual counting floating at six outlets Amsterdam system results an estimated 2.7 million items entering closely connected IJ annually, ranking it among most polluting measured Netherlands Europe. Subsequent analyses environmental (including rainfall, sunlight, wind speed, tidal regimes) flux showed very weak insignificant correlations (r = [Formula: see text]0.19-0.16), implying additional investigation is required. High-frequency observations various locations advanced monitoring using novel technologies could explored harmonize automate monitoring. Once type abundance well-defined with a clear origin, communication local communities stakeholders help co-develop solutions stimulate behavioral change geared reduce environments.

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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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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