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Trash Trap: Comparing Plastic Pollution in the Chicago River and Chicago’s Montrose Harbor
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Researchers collected trash from Montrose Harbor and the Chicago River using floating skimmer devices over several weeks. Plastic was the most common material found, including large and small plastic fragments and food-related waste. The findings may help guide education and policy efforts aimed at reducing litter.
Pollution from trash, especially plastic, is a growing environmental and public health concern, intensified by climate change. Urban lakes and rivers are major pathways for litter entering oceans, making them key targets for prevention and removal. This study examined litter entering a Lake Michigan marina and the Chicago River. Debris was collected using a Marina Skimmer at Montrose Harbor (8 weeks) and a Seabin near the Wrigley Building (23 weeks). Samples were dried, sorted, and weighed. Results indicated plastic was the most common material, with dominant categories including large (>3mm) and small (<3mm) fragments and food-related waste. These findings can inform targeted public education and policy efforts to reduce litter.
More Papers Like This
Determination of Microplastics in the Sediment of Chicago and Des Plaines River
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Microplastics were found in sediments from both the Chicago North Branch River and the Des Plaines River, with concentrations varying by location and proximity to urban activity. The findings indicate that river sediments in the Chicago metropolitan area serve as sinks for microplastic contamination, with implications for benthic organisms living in those sediments.
Microplastic in surface waters of urban rivers: concentration, sources, and associated bacterial assemblages
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Researchers measured microplastic levels in the surface waters of the Chicago River and its urban tributaries, finding concentrations as high as 1.94 particles per cubic meter near wastewater outflows. They discovered that microplastic fibers and pellets were often colonized by bacterial communities distinct from those in the surrounding water. The study provides early evidence that urban rivers are significant conduits for microplastic pollution and that these particles may serve as rafts for microorganisms.
Survey on Microplastics and Macroscopic Floating Garbage in River, Coasts, and Estuary in the Eastern Part of Takamatsu City, Japan
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Researchers surveyed microplastics and macroscopic floating litter in rivers, coasts, and estuaries in eastern Takamatsu City, Japan, finding PE and PP dominated microplastics in both river and coastal environments, and that plastic fragments, bags, and cigarette butts were the most common macro-litter items with distribution influenced by wind and wave conditions.
[Pollution Status and Pollution Behavior of Microplastic in Surface Water and Sediment of Urban Rivers].
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in surface water and sediments of eight rivers across urban and suburban areas of Shanghai, finding widespread contamination that varied by location and urbanization level. The study provides a detailed picture of how urban rivers act as pathways for microplastics moving from land to sea.
A baseline study of macro, meso and micro litter in the Belize River basin, from catchment to coast
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Researchers conducted a baseline survey of macro, meso, and micro litter throughout the Belize River basin from inland catchments to the coast, documenting plastic as the dominant litter type and identifying rivers as key conduits transporting terrestrial plastic waste to coastal waters.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.