We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Migration, Distribution and Influencing Factors of Microplastics at the Confluence of Pipe and Channel
AI summary Read the abstract
Laboratory experiments on pipe-channel confluences showed that microplastic migration and deposition are strongly governed by flow velocity and particle size, with MPs accumulating in low-velocity scour holes and aged, more hydrophilic particles migrating further downstream. This hydrodynamic insight is essential for designing effective interception strategies at wastewater infrastructure junctions before MPs reach open waterways and ultimately the food chain.
Sewage pipes are important conduits for microplastics into the natural environment, but previous studies have paid little attention to the hydraulic characteristics of the confluence of pipe and channel, and the distribution of microplastics at the confluence. This study compared the effects of varying flow rates and particle sizes (Including 500 μm, 700 μm, and 900 μm) on microplastic migration and distribution at the confluence of pipe and channel using experimental measurements. The results obtained using flotation method indicate that flow proportions and particle sizes influence the capacity of flow to transport microplastics. Larger microplastic accumulation occurs in scour holes and separation zones characterized by lower flow velocities, while deposition decreases in acceleration zones characterized by higher flow velocities. Increasing the flow rate of the branch pipe influences the volume of each zone at the pipe-channel confluence. The elongated shape of the scour hole and the acceleration zone facilitate the downstream migration of microplastics. Moreover, the hydrophilic nature of microplastics increases after aging, and it is more likely to migrate to downstream with the water flow, making the downstream microplastics account for more proportion. These results provide valuable insights into the migration and distribution of microplastics at the confluence of pipe and channel, with practical implications for microplastic treatment strategies at these confluences.
More Papers Like This
Leaching of microplastics from PVC pipes under stagnant conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that PVC pipes, the plastic pipes commonly used in home plumbing, can shed tiny plastic particles (microplastics) into water, and the longer water sits still in the pipes (like overnight), the more microplastic particles build up. This matters because many of us drink tap water that's been sitting in pipes for hours, and this study suggests that water could be picking up plastic particles along the way, adding to the microplastics we're already consuming from other sources.
Transport Process of Microplastics from Terrestrial to Aquatic Environment: Evaluation of the Current Knowledge
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics travel from terrestrial sources — including agriculture, urban runoff, and atmospheric deposition — into rivers, lakes, and ultimately the ocean, synthesizing current knowledge on transport mechanisms and knowledge gaps. Understanding land-to-water transport pathways is critical for identifying where interventions can most effectively reduce the flow of plastics into aquatic ecosystems and human food sources.
A Review on Microplastics Migration from Sources Through Wastewater to the Environments: Classifications, Impacts and Removal Techniques
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics travel from various sources through wastewater systems and ultimately into the environment, summarizing the health and ecological impacts of these tiny particles and evaluating available removal strategies.
Factors influencing the migration and distribution of microplastics in the environment
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesizes how microplastic transport and accumulation across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments is governed by the interplay of particle properties, environmental physical and chemical conditions, and biological activity. Mapping these multifactorial migration pathways is essential for building predictive models that can guide targeted pollution mitigation and more accurate human and ecological exposure assessments.
Microplastics in Urban Environments: Sources, Pathways, and Distribution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers mapped the major sources and pathways of microplastic pollution in cities, finding that tire wear, laundry wastewater, landfills, and construction activity collectively make urban areas major generators of the microplastics that flow into surrounding air, water, and soil.
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.