Comparison of concentration, shape, and polymer composition between microplastics and mesoplastics in Japanese river waters

Water Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 249, P. 120979 - 120979

Published: Dec. 6, 2023

While plastics are classified by size as microplastics (<5 mm), mesoplastics (5-25 and macroplastics (>25 research in rivers has centered on microplastics, followed macroplastics, with limited (research gap). This study aims to clarify the concentration, shape, polymer composition of Japanese river water. We conducted field surveys for 147 at 185 measurement stations. The novelty this is use a large number data minimize effect spatial difference analysis. Microplastics were found 183 (99 %) 136 (74 stations, respectively. between concentration increased significantly increase showing that both should be monitored prevent an underestimation plastic pollution appropriate sampling. A 2-stage classification mm) (>5 not suitable because may substantially overlooked. regression slopes concentrations significant decrease variance increasing number, suggesting necessity samples used study. predominant shapes types fragment fiber polyethylene terephthalate (PET), respectively, which affected appreciably many clusters. PET ratios dominant stations small population densities urban can attributed atmospheric deposition underdeveloped rate wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Therefore, it necessary monitor dynamics fate clusters inside outside basin.

Language: Английский

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Conceptual model of global plants entrapping plastics

Environmental Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 32(4), P. 470 - 484

Published: May 11, 2024

Aquatic plants, seagrasses, macrophytes, mangroves, and riparian vegetation are responsible for some of the most important ecosystem services provided on Earth. Given their role in trapping plastics along rivers, we propose a new service plastic entrapment by global plants. Although research started recently to study plastics, little is known about patterns retention remobilization through different habitats. those gaps, synthesize data plants providing conceptual model describe processes vegetation. Our results demonstrate how has pivotal entrapping across spatial temporal scales, finding higher density rather than adjacent water area. Furthermore, proposed (i.e., Plant Plastic Pathway) highlighting scales release Thus, anticipate our be starting point more sophisticated future studies, putting effort into looking at plastic–vegetation dynamics. may have crucial effect if applied hotspot area detection with clean-up mitigation actions riverine ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Plastic pollution affects ecosystem processes including community structure and functional traits in large rivers

Water Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 259, P. 121849 - 121849

Published: May 30, 2024

Plastics in aquatic ecosystems rapidly undergo biofouling, giving rise to a new ecosystem on their surface, the 'plastisphere.' Few studies quantify impact of plastics and associated community traits from biodiversity functional metabolic function. It has been suspected that impacts may depend its state but comparative responses are rare published literature. We quantified algal biomass, bacterial (16S 18S rRNA), growing surface different plastic polymers incubated within rivers Lower Mekong Basin. The selected have ecological characteristics similar regarding high degree pollution. examined effects colonized with biofilms production, dark respiration, epiplastic community's capability influence nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, oxygen water. Finally, we present conceptual models guide our understanding pollution freshwaters. Our findings showed limited microalgal biomass dominance, potential pathogens present. location significantly influenced composition, highlighting role environmental conditions shaping development. When assessing productivity, experiments biofouled led significant drop concentration river water, leading hypoxic/anoxic subsequent profound system metabolism influencing biogeochemical cycles. Scaling revealed exert more substantial ecosystem-altering than initially assumed, particularly areas poorly managed waste. These results highlighted plastisphere functions as habitat for biologically active organisms which play pivotal essential processes. This warrants dedicated attention investigation, sensitive like River, supports rich livelihoods 65 million people.

Language: Английский

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From city to sea: Spatiotemporal dynamics of floating macrolitter in the Tiber River

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 857, P. 159713 - 159713

Published: Oct. 24, 2022

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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General macro-litter as a proxy for fishing lines, hooks and nets entrapping beach-nesting birds: Implications for clean-ups

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 186, P. 114502 - 114502

Published: Dec. 21, 2022

Language: Английский

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Dunal plants intercepting macrolitter: Implications for beach clean-ups

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 187, P. 114585 - 114585

Published: Jan. 11, 2023

Language: Английский

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Dunal plants as sink for anthropogenic marine litter: The entrapping role of Salsola kali L. (1753) in a Mediterranean remote beach (Sardinia, Italy)

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 192, P. 115033 - 115033

Published: May 13, 2023

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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Dune plants as a sink for beach litter: The species-specific role and edge effect on litter entrapment by plants

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 904, P. 166756 - 166756

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Anthropogenic litter accumulates along coasts worldwide. In addition to the flowing load, wind, sea currents, geomorphology and vegetation determine distribution of trapped on sandy coasts. Although some studies highlighted role dune plants in trapping marine litter, little is known about their efficiency as sinks small-scale spatial across area. Here, we explore these gaps by analysing six plant species widespread Mediterranean coastal habitats, namely Echinophora spinosa, Limbarda crithmoides, Anthemis maritima, Pancratium maritimum, Thinopyrum junceum, Salsola kali. The present study analyses for first time capture at a multi-species level, considering morphological structure. Data plastic accumulation were compared with unvegetated control plots located embryo-dune foredune belts. We found that dunal mainly entrapped macrolitter (> 0.5 cm). Particularly, E. L. A. maritima P. maritimum mostly accumulated embryo while T. junceum S. kali more Moreover, beach was blocked edge patches rather than core, highlighting 'Plant-edge effect'. As respectively could be used monitor recollect litter. this light, our findings provide further insight into dynamics, suppling useful information clean-up actions.

Language: Английский

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