Macroplastic concentrations in the water column of the river Rhine increase with higher discharge

Vriend, Paul; Schoor, Margriet M.; Rus, Mandy; Oswald, Stephanie B.; Collas, F.P.L.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165716

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Laboratory experiments underline the importance of turbulent forces and diffusion in ratio to buoyancy and surface tension and identify more suspension load for more turbulent flows [51]. This results in higher vertical mixing of transported MMPW during higher discharges [57]. Therefore, we expect the highest macroplastic transport rates and higher vertical mixing and distribution for high discharges demanding cleaning solutions for suspension load.…”

Section: River-cleaning Conceptmentioning

confidence: 89%

Removing Plastic Waste from Rivers: A Prototype-Scale Experimental Study on a Novel River-Cleaning Concept

Fuchs,

Scherbaum,

Huber

et al. 2024

Water

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Mismanaged plastic waste threatens the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in social, economic, and ecological dimensions. In the pollution process, fluvial systems are critical transport paths for mismanaged plastic waste, connecting land areas with oceans and acting as plastic reservoirs and accumulation zones. The complex fluid–plastic particle interaction leads to a strong distribution of transported particles over the entire river width and flow depth. Therefore, a holistic plastic removal approach must consider lateral and vertical river dimensions. This study investigates the conceptual design of a comprehensive river-cleaning system that enables the removal of both floating and suspended litter particles from watercourses withstanding flow variations. The innovative technical cleaning infrastructure is based on a self-cleaning system using rotating screen drum units. In 42 prototype-scale experiments using ten representative plastic particle types (both 3D items and fragments) of five different polymer types, we prove the self-cleaning concept of the infrastructure and define its parameters for the best cleaning performance. Its cleaning efficiency is strongly dependent on the polymer type and shape. The overall cleaning efficiency for 3D items amounts to 82%, whereas plastic fragments are removed less efficiently depending on hydraulic conditions. Adaptions to the prototype can enhance its efficiency.

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Section: River-cleaning Conceptmentioning

confidence: 89%

Removing Plastic Waste from Rivers: A Prototype-Scale Experimental Study on a Novel River-Cleaning Concept

Fuchs,

Scherbaum,

Huber

et al. 2024

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To fully characterize the distribution between surface and suspended plastic transport within the river channel, it is essential to extend these measurements to encompass a larger range of discharge flows as well. Vriend et al (2023) found that suspended plastic concentrations increased significantly with increased discharge, further highlighting the need of including suspended plastic data collected during high-flow conditions.…”

Section: The Contribution Of Suspended Plastics To River Channel Tran...mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…For the IJssel, the standard deviation for net floodplain transport is ± 1.0 kg/h, and for river channel transport, ± 0.7 kg/h. This relatively large range in the transport estimates is related to the seasonality and temporal variability in plastic transport processes (van Emmerik et al, 2022a;Vriend et al, 2023).…”

Section: Where Does the Remaining Plastic Go?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, there is growing evidence that lateral exchanges between the river channel and the riverbanks and floodplains are key processes in river plastic transport (Grosfeld, 2022;Lotcheris et al, 2023). Similarly, plastic transport suspended within the water column is increasingly recognized as a significant component of river plastic transport (Oswald et al, 2023;Valero et al, 2022;Vriend et al, 2023). Taking into account both lateral exchanges between river channel and riverbank, and suspended transport in river plastic transport is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of river plastic pollution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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