We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Aquatic plants entrap different size of plastics in indoor flume experiments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that aquatic plants effectively entrap plastics in riverine environments, with plant species and plastic particle size influencing retention rates, suggesting vegetation plays an important role in limiting downstream plastic transport.
Plastics accumulate in the environment affecting biota and ecosystems. Although rivers are vectors of land-based plastics to the sea, macroplastics and microplastics in rivers are recently studied. Most studies focused on floating plastic transport to the sea through rivers considering only abiotic hydromorphological factors. In this view, among biotic factors, vegetation has recently been found to entrap plastics. Indeed, the role of vegetation is pivotal in affecting riverine plastic transport. While marine vegetation blocking plastics has been studied, research in freshwater ecosystems is neglected. Since hydrological factors have a pivotal role in riverine plastic transport and few is known on plant entrapment, the interaction between hydrological variables and plastic entrapment by vegetation has not yet been investigated. Given that the composition, transport, and fate of "submerged" plastics in the water column are neglected, we aimed at investigating the behaviour of plants in entrapping plastics within a specific laboratory flume tank. Specifically, we assessed whether (i) aquatic plants block different plastic sizes within the water column and (ii) different factors (e.g. water level, density of plants) affect plastic entrapment. Our results showed that, according to plant density, the higher the plant density the higher the entrapment of plastics by plants - independently of plastic size. Considering the water level, macro-, meso-, and microplastics were trapped similarly. Moreover, Potamogeton crispus blocked fewer microplastics compared with Myriophyllum spicatum. Our results might have impact as plants acted as temporary plastic trappers and can be used as tools for mitigating plastic pollution. Future research might investigate if this laboratory approach can be applied in field for recollecting plastics and consequently mitigating the problem. In conclusion, good management of plants in watercourses, canals, and rivers should be ideal for enhancing river functionality and ecosystem services for human well-being (i.e. the plastic entrapment service by plants).
More Papers Like This
Transport dynamics of microplastics within aquatic vegetation featuring realistic plant morphology
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how aquatic vegetation with realistic plant structures affects the transport and trapping of microplastics in river environments. They found that floating plant canopies significantly altered water flow and increased microplastic retention, with smaller nanoscale particles being trapped more effectively than larger ones. The study suggests that aquatic vegetation may act as a natural filter, accumulating microplastics and potentially preventing their transport downstream to oceans.
Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Vegetation on the Physical Transport and Retention Pattern of Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted experimental flume studies to investigate how aquatic and riparian vegetation affects the physical transport and retention of microplastics in riverine environments. They found that vegetation significantly increases microplastic retention and alters spatial distribution patterns, suggesting that vegetated riparian zones act as important traps that influence microplastic flux to the ocean.
The effects of microplastics size and type on entrapment by freshwater macrophytes under vertical and lateral deposition
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how microplastic particle size and polymer type affect entrapment by freshwater macrophytes, finding that certain aquatic plant species preferentially intercepted specific particle sizes and that plant morphology determined capture efficiency across MPs of varying dimensions.
Riparian vegetation as a natural barrier: experimental analysis of plastic particle retention in a vegetated reach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers ran laboratory experiments showing that riverside plants act as natural traps for microplastics, with heavier plastic particles (1.4 g/cm³) being retained at rates up to 93% while lighter, irregularly shaped pieces were captured at twice the rate of disk-shaped ones. Lower water turbulence improved trapping, suggesting that preserving riparian vegetation could help prevent microplastics from reaching the ocean.
Macrophyte Beds as Microplastic Traps in Freshwater Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how freshwater macrophyte beds trap microplastic particles, finding that plant morphology, particle density, and the adhesive properties of periphyton biofilms all contribute to retention rates ranging from 22% to 100% depending on species and particle type.
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.