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Capture of plastic litter by sluice gate and trash racks
Summary
Researchers conducted hydraulic flume experiments to assess how well sluice gates and trash racks capture plastic litter of varying shapes and sizes, finding that each structure has a threshold particle size above which capture efficiency becomes reliable. The results suggest these water management devices can be optimised for plastic removal, offering a practical intervention point for reducing plastic transport through river systems.
This pilot study investigated the amounts of plastic litter captured by water structures. It is based on hydraulic experiments using flume models of the sluice gate and trash racks. Plastic elements of different shapes and sizes were introduced to the flume upstream of the water device. The study measured the number of plastic elements captured by the device. The outcomes of the study suggest that for each device, it should be possible to determine the size of elements beyond which they can capture plastic elements in substantial quantities. The findings should be helpful in designing future experiments on the capture of plastic elements by water structures
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