We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Rapid Assessment of Floating Macroplastic Transport in the Rhine
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a rapid assessment methodology to quantify floating macroplastic transport in the Rhine River using visual counting from bridges combined with flow velocity data, demonstrating the feasibility of low-cost monitoring approaches for riverine plastic flux. The study contributes to better understanding of how rivers function as pathways delivering plastic pollution to the ocean.
Most marine litter pollution is assumed to originate from land-based sources, entering the marine environment through rivers. To better understand and quantify the risk that plastic pollution poses on aquatic ecosystems, and to develop effective prevention and mitigation methods, a better understanding of riverine plastic transport is needed. To achieve this, quantification of riverine plastic transport is crucial. Here, we demonstrate how established methods can be combined to provide a rapid and cost-effective characterization and quantification of floating macroplastic transport in the River Rhine We combine visual observations with passive sampling to arrive at a first-order estimate of macroplastic transport, both in number (10 - 75 items per hour) and mass per unit of time (1.3 – 9.7 kg per day). Additionally, our assessment gives insight in the most abundant macroplastic polymer types the downstream reach of the River Rhine. Furthermore, we explore the spatial and temporal variation of plastic transport within the river, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of current sampling methods. Finally, we present an outlook for future monitoring of major rivers, including several suggestions on how to expand the rapid assessment presented in this paper.
More Papers Like This
From source to sea: Floating macroplastic transport along the Rhine river
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked floating macroplastic transport along the Rhine River to understand how much land-based plastic reaches the ocean. They found that plastic transport was highly variable and linked to rainfall and flood events, with much of the plastic being retained in the river system. The study provides important data for estimating how much riverine plastic eventually enters the North Sea.
From source to sea: Floating macroplastic transport along the Rhine river
AI summary Read the abstract
Floating plastic transport along the Rhine River was assessed from Switzerland to the Netherlands, finding plastic transport increased significantly toward the river mouth and near urban areas and tributary confluences, with tidal dynamics in the estuary limiting final transport to the sea.
Microplastics profile along the Rhine River
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations along the Rhine River from source to sea, finding a downstream increase in abundance that reflected cumulative inputs from cities and tributaries, with the Rhine acting as a major conduit delivering plastics to the North Sea.
Macroplastic concentrations in the water column of the river Rhine increase with higher discharge
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used trawl nets at multiple depths in the Rhine River to track macroplastic pollution in the water column, finding that plastic concentrations rise sharply during high river discharge (flooding). During low-flow conditions, plastics accumulated near the riverbed, revealing that hydrology plays a key role in where and how much plastic moves through river systems.
A semi-autonomous camera-based system for global monitoring of riverine floating macroplastic transport
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers deployed bridge-mounted cameras at 11 global river sites over multiple years to automatically detect and quantify floating macroplastic transport using object detection and tracking, finding the system can match visual counting accuracy while also capturing surface flow velocity, tidal fluctuations, and flood-driven transport pulses.
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.