Measuring riverine macroplastic: Methods, harmonisation, and quality control

Hurley, Rachel; Braaten, Hans Fredrik Veiteberg; Nizzetto, Luca; Steindal, Eirik Hovland; Lin, Yan; Clayer, François; Emmerik, Tim van; Buenaventura, Nina; Eidsvoll, David Petersen; Økelsrud, Asle; Norling, Magnus Dahler; Adam, Hans Nicolai; Olsen, Marianne

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2023.119902

Cited by 21 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…In fact, this can increase the cost and time needed to obtain the final data on macroplastic storage [11]. However, on the other hand, the performance of these steps by experts can help to achieve adequate accuracy and comparability of results collected in different sites, which can allow for the harmonisation of results on regional and global scales [20]. Previous studies have reported the statistically significant differences between the litter items collected by volunteers and professionals [13], and the problems faced when volunteers counted and categorised the litter, which led to the exclusion of the results collected by some groups in the field (e.g., [15]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such missing information was highlighted as a substantial limitation to obtaining reliable results on riverine macroplastic storage using previous citizen science approaches (e.g., [14,18]). The recording of information on plot surface characteristics, its location, and macroplastics items by using the proposed online form can minimise these problems and increase the cross-comparability of the final data obtained in different locations (see [20]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Liro,

Zielonka,

Hajdukiewicz

et al. 2023

Water

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Liro,

Zielonka,

Hajdukiewicz

et al. 2023

Water

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“…The Pasig River in the Philippines alone is responsible for 6.4% of the global river plastics which illustrates a quite different scenario to the earlier studies regarding the Yangtze, XI and Huangpu and Ganges river in China and India respectively (Ritchie and Max, 2023). Macro plastic is the dominant component of river plastic pollution (Hurley et al, 2023) till date. After identifying the pressing need for action, a significant resolution has been embraced by 175 countries during the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A System Dynamics Based Policy Simulation Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste Flow for Inland and Riverine Area in Khulna City of Bangladesh

Rafew

Rafizul

Kraft

2023

Preprint

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A comprehensive analysis of regional plastic waste flow in both land and marine ecosystem is mandatory to tackle potential hindrance towards a cumulative sustainable growth accompanied with green taxonomy. The severity of plastic pollution in most of the coastal cities around the world are augmenting the plastic waste footprint not only in those land areas but also in the oceans and aquatic lives. This study has been conducted to shed lights on presently mismanaged flow of plastic waste in the coastal gateway city of Khulna and to develop effective policy measures for reducing the plastic waste footprint around the city. To achieve the stated goal, a system dynamics (SD) model has been constructed with numerous knitted factors that has a potential applicability beyond specific regional boundaries. Baseline simulation results show that the per capita plastic waste generation increases to 11.6 kg by 2040 from 8.92 Kg in 2023. Moreover, an extensive quantity of 69.7 thousand tons of piled up plastic waste at landfills along with a riverine discharge of 834 ton from the city side has given rise to the plastic waste footprint index (PWFI) value to 24 by 2040. Furthermore, the absence of technological initiatives is responsible for logarithmic rise of the non-recyclable plastic waste to 1.35 thousand tons. The annual turnover of recycle shops has been found decreasing from 381 million BDT to 245 million BDT by 2040, due to the shutting down of recycle shops. This study has also evaluated two policy scenarios to illustrate that preventing riverine plastic discharge, encouraging govt. incentives for recycle and manufacturing industries innovative techniques such as converting discarded plastic to manufacture end products is obligatory. In this regard policy 2 has been adequate enough from a sustainability perspective with lowest PWFI value of 1.07 with a per capita plastic waste generation of 10 kg by 2040. Finally, through sensitivity analysis the parameter boundary adequacy and robustness of developed SD model has been checked to suffice its efficient applicability for policy analysis to reduce plastic waste flow in identical spatiotemporal regions.

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Forecasting municipal solid plastic waste generation and management policy using system dynamics: a case study of Khulna City in Bangladesh

Rafizul,

Kraft,

Haupt

et al. 2024

Environ Monit Assess

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A comprehensive analysis of municipal solid plastic waste (MSPW) management while emphasizing plastic pollution severity in coastal cities around the world is mandatory to alleviate the augmenting plastic waste footprint in nature. Thus, decision-makers’ persuasion for numerous management solutions of MSPW flow-control can be met through meditative systematic strategies at the regional level. To forecast solutions focused on systematic policies, an agent-based system dynamics (ASD) model has been developed and simulated from 2023 to 2040 while considering significant knit parameters for MSPW management of Khulna City in Bangladesh. Baseline simulation results show that per-capita plastic waste generation will increase to 11.6 kg by 2040 from 8.92 kg in 2023. Eventually, the landfilled quantity of plastic waste has accumulated to 70,000 tons within 18 years. Moreover, the riverine discharge has increased to 834 tons in 2040 from a baseline quantity of 512 tons in 2023. So the plastic waste footprint index (PWFI) value rises to 24 by 2040. Furthermore, the absence of technological initiatives is responsible for the logarithmic rise of non-recyclable plastic waste to 1.35*1000=1350 tons. Finally, two consecutive policy scenarios with baseline factors such as controlled riverine discharge, increased collection and separation of plastic waste, expansion of recycle business, and locally achievable plastic conversion technologies have been simulated. Therefore, policy 2, with 69% conversion, 80% source separation, and 50% riverine discharge reduction of MSPW, has been found adequate from a sustainability perspective with the lowest PWFI ranges of 3.97 to 1.07 alongside a per-capita MSPW generation of 7.63 to 10 kg from 2023 till 2040. Graphical abstract

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Measuring riverine macroplastic: Methods, harmonisation, and quality control

Cited by 21 publications

References 71 publications

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

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

A System Dynamics Based Policy Simulation Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste Flow for Inland and Riverine Area in Khulna City of Bangladesh

Forecasting municipal solid plastic waste generation and management policy using system dynamics: a case study of Khulna City in Bangladesh

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