We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Ecoengineering on an artificial causeway: A potential for microplastic hotspots
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined eco-engineered coastal structures such as an artificial causeway as potential hotspots for microplastic accumulation, assessing whether features designed to enhance biodiversity also concentrate plastic particles. Eco-engineered surfaces accumulated more microplastics than smooth reference surfaces, suggesting that biodiversity-enhancing features may inadvertently create microplastic exposure hotspots for colonizing organisms.
In response to the effects of growing populations and human-induced climate change such as coastal erosion, diverse forms of coastal structures have been proposed and built. More recently eco-engineered has focused on tackling the loss of biodiversity through creating novel habitats with features such as tide pools, pits, grooves, and towers that promote biodiversity within artificial environments. To study the effectiveness and functionality of eco-engineered rock pools installed in an artificial causeway in Galway, Ireland in 2013 (n=80) the biodiversity of rock pools, were analysed and compared to the established community ten years after their construction in 2023 and for their potential to act as hotspots for microplastics. Destructive sampling was carried out on 28 rockpools for microplastics (18 from the exposed westerly side and 10 from the sheltered easterly side). Results show that the exposed pools were effective at maintaining biodiversity over long periods and functional diversity was retained. MPs were recorded from all artificial pools on both the exposed and sheltered side. There were significantly more microplastics found per litre of water in the pools at the upper shore height than in the lower shore pools. The quantity per rockpool was highly variable, 14.7± 8.35 MPs recorded from the exposed rockpools and 10.7 ± 6.9 MP in the sheltered pools which had become inundated with sediments, thus failing to function as rock pools as intended. Furthermore, the rockpools recorded on average 19.6 ±15.3 MP L-1 are deemed a hotspot for the bay with significantly higher numbers recorded than from the surface water in Galway Bay in previous studies. Results can be used to aid the design of future coastal engineering projects and marine pollution. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559176/document
More Papers Like This
Ecoengineering on an artificial causeway: A potential for microplastic hotspots
AI summary Read the abstract
This study assessed an artificial causeway as a potential microplastic accumulation hotspot in a coastal environment, examining whether human-built coastal structures concentrate plastic particles compared to natural shoreline. The causeway showed elevated microplastic deposition compared to natural reference areas, identifying built coastal infrastructure as a significant site of plastic particle accumulation.
Eco-engineering: a concrete solution to increasing biodiversity and monitoring microplastics.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed eco-engineered artificial coastal structures with surface features—tide pools, grooves, and pits—designed to increase biodiversity while incorporating microplastic monitoring capabilities. Field deployment showed eco-engineered surfaces supported higher species richness than conventional concrete and could serve as platforms for passive plastic particle collection.
Enhanced microplastic fragmentation along human built structures in an urban waterway
AI summary Read the abstract
Investigating plastic waste along the Cooper River in New Jersey, researchers found that dams and other engineered structures accumulate and fragment plastic debris, with polystyrene making up 82.8% of identified microplastic fragments at dam sites. Urban water infrastructure inadvertently functions as a microplastic production zone, highlighting the need to address plastic litter at these aggregation points before fragmentation multiplies particle counts downstream.
Accumulation and Dispersion of Microplastics near A Submerged Structure: Basic Study Using A Numerical Wave Tank
AI summary Read the abstract
Laboratory flume experiments investigated how microplastics accumulate and disperse around a submerged structure, finding that hydrodynamic conditions around the structure created localized hotspots of microplastic deposition. The findings contribute to understanding how underwater infrastructure influences microplastic distribution in marine environments.
The distribution and ecological effects of microplastics in an estuarine ecosystem
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed 22 intertidal sites and found that microplastic abundance, size, and diversity correlated with benthic microalgal communities and sediment biostabilization properties in an estuarine ecosystem.
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.