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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Wet wipes in untreated wastewater are a source of litter pollution to the arctic marine environment – a case study on the loads of litter and microplastics in wastewater effluents in Greenland

Environmental Science Advances 2024 6 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Lis Bach, Jakob Strand, Hadi Salame, Márta Simon, Janne Fritt-Rasmussen, Pernille Erland Jensen

Summary

This case study examined loads of litter and microplastics in untreated wastewater effluents in Greenland, finding that flushed wet wipes and other macrolitter items are discharged directly into the Arctic marine environment. The study documents wet wipes as a significant and avoidable source of both litter and microplastic precursors in Arctic coastal waters.

Study Type Environmental

Wastewater outlet in Sisimiut (photo by Jakob Strand). Flushed wet wipes in addition to other macrolitter items can be observed on the nearby rocks and on the seafloor.

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