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Tracking Trash: Understanding Patterns of Debris Pollution in Knoxville’s Urban Streams
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This study tracked the patterns of litter and plastic debris pollution in urban streams in Knoxville, Tennessee, finding that anthropogenic debris negatively impacts ecosystem health, increases flood risk, and reduces recreational value. The results highlight the need for urban source-control strategies.
Urban streams and rivers often experience high levels of pollution from anthropogenic sources. Litter and plastic debris are of particular concern because they negatively impact ecosystem health, increase the risk of flooding, and limit human recreational opportunities. In the City of Knoxville, Tennessee, several urban streams are posted as impaired, with health and use advisories in place. Despite remediation efforts from local governance and charitable initiatives, urban stream pollution remains a pervasive issue in Knoxville. To support and inform local remediation actions and sustainable policy-making, this study seeks to model the relationship between meteorological and hydrological variables and anthropogenic debris pollution in three of Knoxville’s urban creeks. The study uses an innovative approach that includes the use of data from a local stream cleanup initiative. The results, which identify a number of significant relationships, are discussed as they relate to the locally specific context. The implications for local remediation actions and policy-making are discussed. Also, the limitations and directions for future study are presented.
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Anthropogenic litter and microplastic in urban streams: Abundance, source, and fate
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This study quantified anthropogenic litter and microplastic in urban streams in the United States, measuring abundance, sources, and fate including contributions from wastewater treatment plant effluent. Results show that urban rivers are significant conduits for microplastic transport from land-based sources to downstream and ultimately marine environments.
Microplastics in the Tennessee River and Three Tributary Urban Creeks
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Researchers sampled microplastic concentrations in the Tennessee River and three urbanized tributary creeks, finding high and highly variable abundances ranging from fewer than 5 to over 75 particles per liter. Linear fibers dominated all samples, and microplastic levels were most strongly linked to local factors such as proximity to runoff discharge pipes and low-flow accumulation zones.
Environmental and socioeconomic factors impacting floating litter accumulation in streams
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Researchers collected floating litter from 30 devices placed in streams across the southeastern United States during 2022, gathering over 5,000 kg of trash, mostly plastic and styrofoam. Areas with more developed land and lower household income had higher litter buildup, while rainfall and population density did not affect litter amounts.
Microplastics in the Tennessee River: Are Small Streams a Major Source?
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A three-month study of headwater streams in Eastern Tennessee found that residential septic systems and recreational swimming areas contribute substantial microplastic loads to tributaries feeding the Tennessee River. These overlooked rural and recreational sources suggest that microplastic contamination of freshwater systems is more widespread than wastewater treatment plant emissions alone would indicate.
Microplastics in a Small Stream: Storm Response in a Tributary to the Tennessee River
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Researchers used hydrograph separation techniques to investigate whether residential septic systems are a significant source of microplastics to a headwater stream on the Cumberland Plateau. By comparing microplastic concentrations at different points in the storm hydrograph against chemical indicators of septic effluent, they assessed the relative contributions of groundwater, interflow, and surface runoff in transporting plastic particles.
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.