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Macroplastic retention on river floodplains following flood events
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Researchers examined macroplastic retention on river floodplains following flood events, quantifying how much plastic debris is deposited beyond river channels during high-flow conditions and assessing remobilization potential. The study provided data supporting the role of floodplains as significant sinks and secondary sources of macroplastics in riverine transport to the sea.
Microplastics are very often generated by the degradation and fragmentation of macroplastics. Rivers are an important pathway for the delivery of both micro and macroplastics to the sea, which also impact the fluvial fauna and flora. Recent evidence demonstrated that most macroplastics in rivers are retained within floodplains compared to channel retention. During floods, increased macroplastic transport can lead to amplified deposition and remobilization on floodplains. Understanding how macroplastics are retained and remobilized on floodplains is crucial as these represent the river's main macroplastic reservoir. In this study, we investigate the impacts of floods on macroplastic retention in the floodplains of the Dutch Meuse and IJssel rivers. We use observations to characterize the longitudinal and cross-sectional spatial distribution; and retention patterns within different land-cover features on these floodplains. Building on our empirical findings, we develop a model for identifying locations with high retention potential, which can be used for river reaches lacking direct observations. Our observations span two flood events of different magnitudes and characteristics. One is a centennial flood that impacted the Meuse river in July 2021. The second corresponds to a bi-annual high water event, which impacted the IJssel river in December 2023 - January 2024. Our findings reveal that riparian vegetation (trees, bushes, shrubs and mixed vegetation) retain 89 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558809/document
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