We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Fugitive release and influencing factors of microplastics in urbanized watersheds: A case study of the central area of Suzhou City
Summary
Researchers investigated fugitive release of microplastics in urbanized watersheds of Suzhou City, identifying key sources and factors influencing unorganized microplastic discharge from plastic manufacturing and daily use activities into urban waterways.
Urban areas are greatly affected by human activities that may result in the release of microplastics. Fugitive release of microplastics is the unorganized discharge of microplastics produced during plastic manufacturing and use. The microplastics enter the environment in a variety of ways. To investigate fugitively released microplastics and identify the major influencing factors in urban watersheds, the central area of Suzhou city was selected as a case study. This area has a dense network of canals without sources of organized release. The results show that the microplastic abundance in the urban canal of the area ranged from 8.29 to 40.63 particles L, with a mean of 14.75 ± 3.95 particles L. To better understand the relationship between microplastics and human activities, the main influencing factors, including water quality, water-related activities, dwelling type, urban landscaping, trash collection and land use type, were assessed. Water quality was not correlated with microplastic distribution in the urban watershed, as it is in larger watersheds. Water-related activities caused elevated fugitive release of microplastics. The abundance of microplastics discharged into the water environment in modern communities was significantly less than that discharged in an area of traditional residences. Traffic activities contributed to microplastic release, while urban landscaping physically blocked microplastics from flowing into urban waterbodies to some extent. Trash collection did not reduce the abundance of microplastic particles in the water, despite its ability to remove other types of plastic waste. The results also suggest that the contributions of different land use types to the abundance of microplastics in urban areas from highest to lowest were as follows: tourist districts > commercial areas > public areas > residential areas > roads. Moreover, fugitive release is an important source to be considered in future research on urban microplastic management. The renewal of urban construction to mitigate the influence of human activities on water ecology may play a positive role in controlling the fugitive release of microplastics.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics pollution in inland freshwaters of China: A case study in urban surface waters of Wuhan, China
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in inland freshwaters across urban suburban areas of China, finding contamination that reflected land use intensity and population density in the surrounding catchments.
Source identification of microplastics in highly urbanized river environments and its implications for watershed management
Researchers identified the sources and pathways of microplastics entering highly urbanized rivers in the Shenzhen Bay watershed. The study found that 61.6% of annual microplastic loads came from point sources, with textile washing fibers accounting for over 92% of those, while nonpoint source contributions dominated during periods of heavy rainfall.
Microplastic pollution in sophisticated urban river systems: Combined influence of land-use types and physicochemical characteristics
This study assessed microplastic pollution across an urban river network in China, finding that land-use type and water physicochemical properties jointly influence microplastic distribution, with industrial and residential areas contributing highest loads.
Characteristics and source-pathway of microplastics in freshwater system of China: A review
This national-scale review examines microplastic characteristics and source-pathway dynamics in Chinese freshwater systems including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, synthesizing data showing that urban runoff, textile washing, and wastewater discharge are dominant sources. The authors identify key knowledge gaps in understanding microplastic transport from inland waters to the ocean in the world's largest plastic-producing country.
The occurrence of microplastics in water bodies in urban agglomerations: Impacts of drainage system overflow in wet weather, catchment land-uses, and environmental management practices
Microplastic concentrations in Shanghai urban waterways were six times higher during wet weather overflow events than from regular wastewater treatment plant discharges, and highest in industrial areas. The study highlights combined sewer overflow during rain events as a major but underappreciated pathway for microplastics entering city waterways.