Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers
The paper presents a conceptual model of the route of macroplastic debris (>5 mm) through a fluvial system, which can support future works on the overlooked processes of macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers. We divided the macroplastic route into (1) input, (2) transport, (3) storage...
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doaj-027d508ccac94c66a6bc3e4bce0e1e3a2020-11-25T03:47:50ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412020-07-01122055205510.3390/w12072055Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in RiversMaciej Liro0Tim van Emmerik1Bartłomiej Wyżga2Justyna Liro3Paweł Mikuś4Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Mickiewicza 33, 31–120 Kraków, PolandHydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The NetherlandsInstitute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Mickiewicza 33, 31–120 Kraków, PolandInstitute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Kraków, PolandInstitute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Mickiewicza 33, 31–120 Kraków, PolandThe paper presents a conceptual model of the route of macroplastic debris (>5 mm) through a fluvial system, which can support future works on the overlooked processes of macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers. We divided the macroplastic route into (1) input, (2) transport, (3) storage, (4) remobilization and (5) output phases. Phase 1 is mainly controlled by humans, phases 2–4 by fluvial processes, and phase 5 by both types of controls. We hypothesize that the natural characteristics of fluvial systems and their modification by dam reservoirs and flood embankments construction are key controls on macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers. The zone of macroplastic storage can be defined as a river floodplain inundated since the beginning of widespread disposal of plastic waste to the environment in the 1960s and the remobilization zone as a part of the storage zone influenced by floodwaters and bank erosion. The amount of macroplastic in both zones can be estimated using data on the abundance of surface- and subsurface-stored macroplastic and the lateral and vertical extent of the zones. Our model creates the framework for estimation of how much plastic has accumulated in rivers and will be present in future riverscapes.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/7/2055macroplasticmacroplastic storagemacroplastic remobilizationplastic debrisAnthropocenehuman impact |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Maciej Liro Tim van Emmerik Bartłomiej Wyżga Justyna Liro Paweł Mikuś |
spellingShingle |
Maciej Liro Tim van Emmerik Bartłomiej Wyżga Justyna Liro Paweł Mikuś Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers Water macroplastic macroplastic storage macroplastic remobilization plastic debris Anthropocene human impact |
author_facet |
Maciej Liro Tim van Emmerik Bartłomiej Wyżga Justyna Liro Paweł Mikuś |
author_sort |
Maciej Liro |
title |
Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers |
title_short |
Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers |
title_full |
Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers |
title_fullStr |
Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers |
title_full_unstemmed |
Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers |
title_sort |
macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Water |
issn |
2073-4441 |
publishDate |
2020-07-01 |
description |
The paper presents a conceptual model of the route of macroplastic debris (>5 mm) through a fluvial system, which can support future works on the overlooked processes of macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers. We divided the macroplastic route into (1) input, (2) transport, (3) storage, (4) remobilization and (5) output phases. Phase 1 is mainly controlled by humans, phases 2–4 by fluvial processes, and phase 5 by both types of controls. We hypothesize that the natural characteristics of fluvial systems and their modification by dam reservoirs and flood embankments construction are key controls on macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers. The zone of macroplastic storage can be defined as a river floodplain inundated since the beginning of widespread disposal of plastic waste to the environment in the 1960s and the remobilization zone as a part of the storage zone influenced by floodwaters and bank erosion. The amount of macroplastic in both zones can be estimated using data on the abundance of surface- and subsurface-stored macroplastic and the lateral and vertical extent of the zones. Our model creates the framework for estimation of how much plastic has accumulated in rivers and will be present in future riverscapes. |
topic |
macroplastic macroplastic storage macroplastic remobilization plastic debris Anthropocene human impact |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/7/2055 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT maciejliro macroplasticstorageandremobilizationinrivers AT timvanemmerik macroplasticstorageandremobilizationinrivers AT bartłomiejwyzga macroplasticstorageandremobilizationinrivers AT justynaliro macroplasticstorageandremobilizationinrivers AT pawełmikus macroplasticstorageandremobilizationinrivers |
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