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Relevance of tyre wear particles to the total content of microplastics transported by runoff in a high-imperviousness urban area.
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This study, published in Portuguese, assessed the relevance of tire wear particles (TWPs) relative to the total microplastic burden transported by river systems in Brazil. The research found that TWPs represent a significant fraction of the microplastics measured in urban and peri-urban watercourses, with concentrations elevated near major roadways. The findings highlight tire wear as a major but underappreciated contributor to freshwater and ultimately marine microplastic pollution in rapidly urbanizing countries.
Microplásticos (MPs) são considerados um poluente emergente e uma preocupação global. Atualmente adota-se uma definição abrangente de MPs, que inclui todos os materiais macromoleculares produzidos pelo homem, incluindo a borracha, portanto, as Partículas de Desgaste de Pneu (TWPs) são classificadas também como MPs. Dentre os diversos tipos de MPs, as TWPs apresentam elevada concentração em áreas urbanas e são transportadas principalmente pelo escoamento superficial, acumulando-se em corpos hídricos e reservatórios. O aumento das superfícies impermeáveis, associado à urbanização, e o elevado número de veículos pode acarretar uma maior quantidade de partículas em grandes metrópoles, como São Paulo. Nesse trabalho foram coletadas amostras do Reservatório de Detenção de Águas Pluviais (SDR) na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Aricanduva, São Paulo, para caracterização de MPs e TWPs. Para a separação dos MPs foi utilizado processo de separação por densidade e filtração em membranas de nitrato de celulose (poros de 0.45 µm). Os MPs foram contabilizados e caracterizados visualmente com utilização de microscópio stereo com câmera integrada. A área de contribuição possui cerca de 36 km², sendo 73% superfícies impermeáveis, e 640 km de arruamento. As TWPs foram o principal MP identificado (53%), seguido de fragmentos (30 %), fibras (9%), filmes (4%) e pellets (4%). O tamanho predominante foi de 0,1 mm a 0,5 mm, e nessa faixa as TWPs representaram 57% do total de MPs. Normalizando os dados, são obtidos índices de 2.160 unidades/kg.km² de área impermeável e 87,8 unidades/kg.km de arruamento. Esse tipo de dado nunca foi apresentado em estudos anteriores, e pode auxiliar no entendimento do comportamento desse poluente em áreas urbanas. Considerando o tráfego na área de contribuição, as emissões de TWPs calculadas variam de 43,3 a 205,5 kg/dia e o fluxo anual calculado foi de 7,8∙1011 unidades/km².ano para MPs e 4,1∙1011 unidades/km².ano para TWPs, demonstrando a predominância desse poluente. Sugere-se que estudos futuros apresentem também os índces de MPs e TWPs por área impermeável e comprimento de arruamento, visto que esses fatores, associados com o tráfego, são importantes para a mensuração de TWPs em áreas urbanas.
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Relevance of tyre wear particles to the total content of microplastics transported by runoff in a high-imperviousness and intense vehicle traffic urban area.
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Researchers characterized microplastics and tire wear particles (TWPs) transported by urban stormwater runoff in a highly impervious catchment, finding that TWPs made up a substantial fraction of the total microplastic load in sediments of a stormwater detention reservoir. The study underscores the contribution of road traffic to microplastic pollution entering waterways.
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Researchers collected tire wear particles from roadside drains and natural environments near a major UK road, finding that these particles are abundant and widespread yet frequently undetected in environmental monitoring, suggesting tyre wear is a major but under-reported microplastic source.
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in urban stormwater and found levels ranging from about 4 to 59 particles per liter, with tire wear particles making up roughly 95% of all particles detected. Microlitter capture devices reduced microplastic loads by 35 to 88%, and constructed wetlands provided additional removal. The study suggests that targeted stormwater treatment infrastructure could meaningfully reduce the flow of microplastics into rivers and coastal waters.
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