We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Permeable pavement blocks as a sustainable solution for managing microplastic pollution in urban stormwater
Summary
Researchers tested whether permeable pavement, the kind of pavement that lets water drain through it, can filter out microplastics from urban stormwater runoff. They found it can trap microplastic particles effectively, suggesting permeable pavement could be a practical tool for reducing the amount of microplastics that wash into rivers and oceans from city streets.
Permeable pavement systems (PPS) designed to store stormwater and facilitate its drainage into pipeline networks also provide the added advantage of retaining particulate pollutants in the stormwater runoff. Among these pollutants, microplastics (MPs), are increasingly being detected in the atmosphere and can be deposited in the environment via rainfall. Consequently, mitigating the transport of airborne MPs through rainfall is crucial for preventing water and soil contamination, thereby reducing the potential risks to human health and ecosystems. To achieve effective pollution control, an experimental study was conducted to assess MPs removal efficiencies and permeability performance of various permeable pavement blocks. The pore structure, which is a critical factor influencing permeability, was analyzed using porosity measurements and X-ray computed tomography imaging. Additionally, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were utilized to investigate the MPs removal mechanisms within the PPS, modeling the flow of MPs through blocks with distinct pore structures and varying permeability levels. Notably, Block A, with the highest permeability (1.7 mm/s), achieved removal efficiencies exceeding 90 % for polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). CFD analysis revealed that low-density PE particles were retained more effectively, while high-density PET particles displayed greater mobility through the pavement blocks. Furthermore, as rainfall intensity increased, the removal efficiencies of PE and PET gradually decreased. This study highlights the critical role of material design and CFD-optimised pore structures in enhancing the efficacy of permeable pavement systems for urban stormwater management. By elucidating the MPs removal mechanisms driven by distinct transport behaviors of PE and PET particles based on density differences, these systems offer a promising solution for mitigating urban stormwater contamination and advancing sustainable water resource management.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Removal and fate of microplastics in permeable pavements: An experimental layer-by-layer analysis
Researchers tested permeable pavements as a way to capture microplastics from urban stormwater runoff and found they retained 89% to over 99% of microplastic particles. The microplastics accumulated mainly on the pavement surface and in geotextile filter layers, preventing them from reaching natural waterways. This type of sustainable urban drainage could be an effective tool for reducing the amount of microplastics that wash off roads and into the water sources people depend on.
Eficiencia de los pavimentos permeables para la retención de microplásticos de la escorrentía urbana
Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of permeable pavements as sustainable urban drainage systems for retaining microplastics from urban stormwater runoff, testing their performance under controlled laboratory conditions calibrated to average rainfall patterns in Valencia, Spain. Results showed a significant reduction in microplastic particle counts in water passing through the permeable pavement layers.
Análisis del comportamiento hidráulico y ambiental a largo plazo de pavimentos permeables y de su potencial para el control de microplásticos en la gestión avanzada de escorrentías urbanas
Researchers investigated the long-term hydraulic and environmental performance of permeable pavements for controlling microplastics in urban stormwater runoff, demonstrating their potential to prevent suspended solids and associated microplastic particles from reaching the environment.
Permeable pavements: A possible sink for tyre wear particles and other microplastics?
Researchers sampled approximately 100 kg of particulate material from seven roads and parking lots to analyze microplastic content including tire wear particles. The study found that tire wear constituted the dominant fraction of microplastics at 0.09% of dry mass, with polypropylene as the most common non-tire plastic type, and that permeable pavements may act as sinks trapping these particles before they reach waterways.
Pavement wear generates microplastics in stormwater runoff
Researchers conducted a two-year field study showing that pavement wear is a distinct and previously underappreciated source of microplastics in urban stormwater, separate from tire wear. They found that asphalt pavement was most susceptible to degradation in the field, while recycled rubber pavers released the most microplastics in lab testing. The study emphasizes the need to consider microplastic generation during pavement material selection and urban infrastructure planning.