We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Global multi-pollutant modelling: uncovering new perspectives for river exports of nutrients, plastics, and chemicals
AI summary Read the abstract
This thesis modeled river exports of nutrients, plastics, and chemicals to coastal waters worldwide using a new multi-pollutant model. Researchers found that diffuse sources contributed over 95% of nitrogen and macroplastic exports, while point sources accounted for about 40% of phosphorus and microplastic exports globally. The study projects that 56-78% of the global population will live near more polluted river basins by 2100, with low-income regions in Africa and South Asia facing the highest multi-pollutant exposure.
This thesis assesses river exports of nutrients, plastics, and chemicals to coastal waters worldwide across sub-basins in the 21st century under socio-economic disparities and climate-driven hydrological changes. Using the new MARINA-Multi model, results show that in 2010, diffuse sources contributed by >95% to river exports of nitrogen and macroplastics, while point sources contributed by about 40% to river exports of phosphorus and microplastics globally. Future multi-pollutant scenarios indicate that 56%–78% of the global population is expected to live in more polluted river sub-basins by 2100, with the Indian Ocean receiving alarming pollutant levels. Income-based disparities further shape 2050 water quality: high-income sub-basins experience plastic pollution pressures from urbanisation, while low-income sub-basins in Africa and South Asia face the highest exposure to multiple river pollutants. Many African sub-basins show greater variation in river exports of multiple pollutants due to future climate-driven hydrological uncertainties. Therefore, new perspectives for advancing multi-pollutant modelling widen the scope of models, link sectors, and address uncertainties.
More Papers Like This
Causes of coastal waters pollution with nutrients, chemicals and plastics worldwide
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a global model to quantify how rivers transport nutrients, chemicals, microplastics, and macroplastics from land sources to coastal waters across more than 10,000 sub-basins. They found that sewage is responsible for 40-95% of phosphorus and microplastics reaching the oceans, while agricultural runoff and mismanaged waste dominate nitrogen and macroplastic pollution. The study reveals that nearly 45% of global land area qualifies as a multi-pollutant hotspot, home to 89% of the world's population.
Modelling future coastal water pollution: impacts of point sources, socio-economic developments & multiple pollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers modeled how urbanization and wastewater discharge will affect coastal water pollution by 2100, looking at nitrogen, phosphorus, microplastics, and triclosan. They found that river exports of all four pollutants from point sources are projected to more than double globally, with Africa and Asia seeing the sharpest increases. The study suggests that wastewater treatment improvements could reduce multi-pollutant issues by 30-38%, but economic growth and city expansion may offset those gains.
Urbanization: an increasing source of multiple pollutants to rivers in the 21st century
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers modeled the combined impact of urbanization on river pollution from nutrients, microplastics, triclosan, and pathogens across over 10,000 rivers globally. They project that by the end of the century, around 80% of the world's population could live near rivers with multi-pollutant problems under high urbanization scenarios. The study suggests that advanced wastewater treatment could technically prevent future pollution in many regions, though Africa faces particularly severe challenges.
Future Scenarios for River Exports of Multiple Pollutants by Sources and Sub‐Basins Worldwide: Rising Pollution for the Indian Ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
Global modeling projected that under an economy-driven scenario, river exports of nutrients and microplastics would double by 2100, with the Indian Ocean facing the largest increases, while a sustainability-driven scenario could achieve up to 83% reductions.
Global multi-pollutant modelling of water quality: scientific challenges and future directions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers argue that tackling global water pollution requires modeling multiple contaminants — microplastics, nutrients, chemicals, and pathogens — simultaneously rather than studying each in isolation. They identify pollution hotspots across Europe, North America, and South Asia where rivers carry dangerous combinations of these pollutants, and call for models that can directly inform policy decisions.
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.