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Experimental study on transport and retention dynamics of macroplastics in gully pots
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Researchers tested a full-scale gully pot model under varying rainfall intensities and found that high discharge flows sharply reduce plastic retention efficiency, and that sediment accelerates macroplastic transport — suggesting urban drainage infrastructure needs re-evaluation as a meaningful barrier to plastic entering waterways.
Plastic wastes sourced from urban areas can be retained and transported by urban drainage systems. However, comprehensive research on the transport of plastics in these systems is still required. This study examines the efficiency of gully pots in trapping macroplastics during rainfall events of different intensity, focusing on the influence of flow conditions, plastic types and the presence of sediments. Using a 1:1 scale gully pot model, with water flow ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 l/s we measured the transport and retention of bottles, caps, cigarette filters, and snack wrappings. The results revealed that high discharges significantly reduce plastic removal efficiency –i.e., less plastics remain trapped in the gully pot—, while sediments accelerate plastic transport, especially at high discharges. The study highlights the role of urban drainage systems to mitigate plastic pollution in aquatic environments.
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Researchers modeled how microplastics travel through urban stormwater runoff into water bodies. They found that a microplastic's shape, size, and density strongly influence whether it settles or floats during transport, and that local factors like street slope and surface friction significantly affect how quickly particles reach storm drains. The findings could help cities design better stormwater management strategies to capture microplastics.
The influence of flow on the amount, retention and loss of plastic pollution in an urban river
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Researchers sampled both microplastics and macroplastics at four sites along an urban river in Ontario, Canada during normal flow and storm conditions. The study found that storm events significantly influence plastic transport dynamics, with flow conditions affecting how much plastic pollution is retained in or flushed through urban river systems toward downstream water bodies.
Experimental study on the transport processes of different types of microplastics in rainfall runoff over urban road surface
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Researchers investigated the transport of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene microplastics in urban road runoff under varying rainfall intensities and slopes using simulated rainfall experiments. They found that rainfall intensity and slope significantly influence microplastic mobilization and entry into downstream water bodies.
Design of model microplastics to study their transport in urban waters
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Researchers designed model microplastic particles with controlled physical properties to systematically study their transport behavior in urban water systems. The work provides a foundation for understanding how microplastic size, density, and shape influence fate and transport in stormwater and urban drainage networks.
Evaluating microplastics transport in urban runoff using a large-scale rainfall simulator
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Scientists used artificial rainfall to study how tiny plastic bits get washed off city streets and into waterways. Heavier rain flushed away more plastic, and smaller plastic pieces moved the most overall. This helps researchers better predict how microplastics travel from streets into rivers and drinking water sources, an important step for protecting water quality.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.