Tracking Trash: Understanding Patterns of Debris Pollution in Knoxville’s Urban Streams

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.