Litter Selfie: A Citizen Science Guide for Photorecording Macroplastic Deposition along Mountain Rivers Using a Smartphone

Abstract

Macroplastic pollution in mountain rivers can threaten water resources, biodiversity, and the recreational values provided by them. The first step towards evaluating and then mitigating these risks is the systematic collection of reliable and spatially uniform data on the amount and type of macroplastics deposited in different land covers occurring in a mountain river channel. To maximise the opportunity for the large-scale collection of such data using the citizen science approach, we propose in this study an illustrated step-by-step guide to sample the macroplastic deposited along mountain rivers and to record the collected information using a photo taken by smartphone and a simple online form. Our guide includes three steps: (i) the location of sampling plots across 3–4 predefined surface covers occurring in mountain rivers of temperate climate, (ii) the hand collection of macroplastic deposited in them, and (iii) the photorecording and archiving of information on macroplastics collected using a smartphone and an online form. The proposed guide can allow for the low-cost collection of data on macroplastic deposition in mountain rivers on regional and global scales. The collected data can be further analysed by environmental scientists to quantify the amount and types of macroplastic deposited and to evaluate the resulting risks. They can be also used as illustrative materials to increase the awareness of local communities about the plastic pollution problem.

Comparative Analysis of Riverine Plastic Pollution Combining Citizen Science, Remote Sensing and Water Quality Monitoring Techniques

“…Thus, it could be stated that the presented citizen science dataset on stranded riverine litter accumulations is reliable. The practical and adaptation values of citizen science in plastic pollution surveys were also proven by various authors [12,15,37,44,45].…”

“…Macroplastic pollution negatively impacts industries like fishing, shipping, tourism and recreation [15,16,49]. However, the enthusiasm of citizens, combined with eco-awareness and love of water sports could open new views.…”

“…1665 tons of riverine litter is still present in Tisza floodplains, and considering the whole fluvial system, it is estimated that at least 2500 tons of litter are stranded or trapped in the channel and the floodplains. Considering that 70% of the plastics sink to the bottom [14][15][16], it is reasonable to assume that a greater quantity of riverine litter exists in the fluvial system. As plastics are prone to fragmentation and degradation, pollution contributes to the further deterioration of habitats and water supplies.…”

“…The litter floating on the surface of the water makes up only 15% of the total amount of riverine waste, as ca. 70% sinks to the bottom, and 15% is drifted and stranded along the banklines and the floodplain [14][15][16].…”

“…Liro et al [15,16] mapped the mismanaged plastic waste in the Carpathian region. According to their data, 60-620 tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste got into the mountainous rivers annually.…”