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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Policy & Risk Sign in to save

Amsterdam urban water system as entry point of river plastic pollution

Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2023 25 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Paolo Tasseron Paolo Tasseron Paolo Tasseron Paolo Tasseron Paolo Tasseron Paolo Tasseron Paolo Tasseron Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Paolo Tasseron Paolo Tasseron Finn Begemann, Finn Begemann, Finn Begemann, Finn Begemann, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Nonna Joosse, Nonna Joosse, Nonna Joosse, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Nonna Joosse, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Martine van der Ploeg, Paolo Tasseron Joppe van Driel, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Joppe van Driel, Tim van Emmerik, Joppe van Driel, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Joppe van Driel, Finn Begemann, Paolo Tasseron Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Finn Begemann, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Martine van der Ploeg, Nonna Joosse, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Nonna Joosse, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Martine van der Ploeg, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Tim van Emmerik, Paolo Tasseron

Summary

Researchers measured floating plastic litter at six outlets of the Amsterdam urban water system and estimated that approximately 2.7 million items enter the connected IJ river each year. The study identified urban waterways as major contributors to river plastic pollution, ranking Amsterdam among the most significant sources. The findings highlight the important but often overlooked role of city canal systems as pathways for plastic entering rivers and eventually the ocean.

Study Type Environmental

Accumulation of plastic litter in aquatic environments negatively impacts ecosystems and human livelihood. Urban areas are assumed to be the main source of plastic pollution in these environments because of high anthropogenic activity. Yet, the drivers of plastic emissions, abundance, and retention within these systems and subsequent transport to river systems are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that urban water systems function as major contributors to river plastic pollution, and explore the potential driving factors contributing to the transport dynamics. Monthly visual counting of floating litter at six outlets of the Amsterdam water system results in an estimated 2.7 million items entering the closely connected IJ river annually, ranking it among the most polluting systems measured in the Netherlands and Europe. Subsequent analyses of environmental drivers (including rainfall, sunlight, wind speed, and tidal regimes) and litter flux showed very weak and insignificant correlations (r = [Formula: see text]0.19-0.16), implying additional investigation of potential drivers is required. High-frequency observations at various locations within the urban water system and advanced monitoring using novel technologies could be explored to harmonize and automate monitoring. Once litter type and abundance are well-defined with a clear origin, communication of the results with local communities and stakeholders could help co-develop solutions and stimulate behavioral change geared to reduce plastic pollution in urban environments.

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