Sources, transport, and accumulation of different types of plastic litter in aquatic environments: A review study

Schwarz, Anna; Ligthart, Tom; Boukris, Elise; Harmelen, Toon van

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.029

Cited by 473 publications

(231 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…This analysis has been done on floating oceanic plastic, but riverine and oceanic plastic can also sink to the ocean floor and be stored in the sediment layers. By comparing the composition of plastic in different environments, such as in sediment layers and surface layers, it follows that only thick-walled, larger plastic debris from low density polymers could be horizontally transported from rivers to ocean through currents [37]. Consequently, this study endorses the hypothesis that buoyant plastic waste in oceans and river originates largely from multiple sources.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…It is often stated that riverine plastic is the major source of marine plastic [8]. On the other hand it is shown that land-sourced plastic is delivered to the open-ocean from nearshore accumulation zones, predominantly as small buoyant fragments [37]. The result of an analysis of 3357 tonnes of debris at 6000 sites at the beach in terms of item count shows that plastic bags are the most common found item (apart from cigarette buds that may not come from the ocean but from direct litter on the beach) [38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Abundance of plastic debris across European and Asian rivers

Calcar

Emmerik

2019

Environ. Res. Lett.

144

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Plastic pollution in the marine environment is an urgent global environmental challenge. Land-based plastics, emitted into the ocean through rivers, are believed to be the main source of marine plastic litter. According to the latest model-based estimates, most riverine plastics are emitted in Asia. However, the exact amount of global riverine plastic emission remains uncertain due to a severe lack of observation. Field-based studies are rare in numbers, focused on rivers in Europe and North America and used strongly varying data collection methods. We present a harmonized assessment of floating macroplastic transport from observations at 24 locations in rivers in seven countries in Europe and Asia. Visual counting and debris sampling were used to assess (1) magnitude of plastic transport, (2) the spatial distribution across the river width, and (3) the plastic polymer composition. Several waterways in Indonesia and Vietnam contain up to four orders of magnitude more plastic than waterways in Italy, France, and The Netherlands in terms of plastic items per hour. We present a first transcontinental overview of plastic transport, providing observational evidence that, for the sampled rivers, Asian rivers transport considerably more plastics towards the ocean. New insights are presented in the magnitude, composition, and spatiotemporal variation of riverine plastic debris. We emphasize the urgent need for more long-term monitoring efforts. Accurate data on riverine plastic debris are extremely important to improve global and local modeling approaches and to optimize prevention and collection strategies.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance of plastic debris across European and Asian rivers

Calcar

Emmerik

2019

Environ. Res. Lett.

144

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“…This may pose additional risks to shipping activities (McIlgorm et al 2011). Furthermore, these plastics may wash ashore on the Java coast, resulting in increased amounts of beach litter, damaging ecosystems and tourist activities (Schwarz et al 2019). Finally, some portion of the emitted plastics will travel to the open sea.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, some portion of the emitted plastics will travel to the open sea. Given that most emitted plastics were found to be bags and foils, these most likely end up on the ocean floor in the Java Sea or beyond (Schwarz et al 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riverine plastic emission from Jakarta into the ocean

Emmerik

Loozen

Oeveren

et al. 2019

Environ. Res. Lett.

117

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Plastic pollution in aquatic environments is an increasing global risk. In recent years, marine plastic pollution has been studied to a great extent, and it has been hypothesized that land-based plastics are its main source. Global modeling efforts have suggested that rivers in South East Asia are in fact the main contributors to plastic transport from land to the oceans. However, due to a lack of plastic transport observations, the origin and fate of riverine plastic waste is yet unclear. Here, we present results from a first assessment of riverine macroplastic emission from rivers and canals that run through a densely populated coastal urban city. Using a combination of field measurements, empirical relations and hydraulic modeling, we provide an estimate of total riverine plastic export originating from Jakarta, Indonesia, into the ocean. Furthermore, we provide insights in its composition, and variation in time and space. We found that most macroplastics in Jakarta consists of films and foils. We estimate that 2.1 × 10 3 tonnes of plastic waste, is transported from land to sea annually, equaling 3% of the total annual unsoundly disposed plastic waste in the Jakarta area.

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“…Densities higher than 1 are likely to sink in water. The percentages and most common products are assessed and calculated based on data from Schwarz et al (2019), Textileworld (2019), and PlasticsEurope (2018 For plastic sizes, consistent terming and dimensions lack throughout plastic pollution studies. Most used terms are nanoplastics, microplastics, mesoplastics, macroplastics, and megaplastics (Blettler et al, 2017;Frias & Nash, 2019;Lebreton et al, 2018).…”

Section: Defining Plasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic debris in rivers

2019

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Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is an emerging environmental risk, as it may negatively impacts ecology, endangers aquatic species, and causes economic damage. Rivers are known to play a crucial role in transporting land‐based plastic waste to the world's oceans, but riverine ecosystems are also directly affected by plastic pollution. To better quantify global plastic pollution transport and to effectively reduce sources and risks, a thorough understanding of origin, transport, fate, and effects of riverine plastic debris is crucial. In this overview paper, we discuss the current scientific state on plastic debris in rivers and evaluate existing knowledge gaps. We present a brief background of plastics, polymer types typically found in rivers, and the risk posed to aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, we elaborate on the origin and fate of riverine plastics, including processes and factors influencing plastic debris transport and its spatiotemporal variation. We present an overview of monitoring and modeling efforts to characterize riverine plastic transport, and give examples of typical values from around the world. Finally, we present an outlook to riverine plastic research. With this paper, we aim to present an inclusive and comprehensive overview of riverine plastic debris research to date and suggest multiple ways forward for future research. This article is categorized under: Science of Water > Water Quality Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems

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Sources, transport, and accumulation of different types of plastic litter in aquatic environments: A review study

Cited by 473 publications

References 62 publications

Abundance of plastic debris across European and Asian rivers

Abundance of plastic debris across European and Asian rivers

Riverine plastic emission from Jakarta into the ocean

Plastic debris in rivers

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