The distribution, behavior, and release of macro- and micro-size plastic wastes in solid waste disposal sites

Fei, Xunchang; He, Hongping; Pi, Xiaoqing; Lu, Xuhong; Chen, Qinqin; Ma, Jun; Wang, Yao; Fang, Mingliang; Wu, Chuangzhou; Feng, Shi‐Jin

doi:10.1080/10643389.2022.2054649

Cited by 25 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…It is difficult, and somewhat arbitrary, to distinguish between slow-and non-biodegradable C, which may not be practical or necessary in a 100-year time horizon [57]. Despite the recent surge in research on the presence and behaviors of plastics in SWDS [11,58], their biodegradation and transport degrees should be minimal. The long-term fates of other recalcitrant polymers remain largely unstudied, which consist of a major portion of the solid C.…”

Section: Biodegradation Of Carbonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are hypothesized to contain a more diverse array of elements and compounds within the same footprints than any other natural or anthropogenic sites. The wide variety of waste constituents and elements, highly variable and heterogeneous environments, and confined spaces of SWDS give them unique biogeochemical conditions that differ from other places on Earth [11]. However, the transformation and transport processes of elements other than C and a handful of regulated pollutants have been sporadically studied [12,13] and poorly summarized.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Transformation, Transport, and Storage of Major Elements in Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites

Wang,

Zhou,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The predominant management approach for municipal solid waste (MSW) remains disposal, given significant increases in generation and disposal rates of MSW in recent decades. In addition to the well-documented carbon emissions from disposal sites, these sites accumulate numerous elements, the masses of which are substantial globally yet inadequately quantified. The unique combinations of waste constituents, elements, diverse environments, and confined spaces in disposal sites create distinct biogeochemical conditions, setting them apart from any other infrastructure or geological feature on Earth. This review first presents a global summary of the cumulative masses and disposal rates of MSW constituents and associated elements. The five dominant transformation and transport processes influencing disposed elements are examined: biochemical degradation, physicochemical transformation, gas migration, leachate migration, and solid spillage. The magnitudes and rates of the processes corresponding to major disposed elements, including carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, and several metals, are systematically summarized. We examine and quantify the potential environmental impacts and health risks associated with element transformation and transport. We also explore the existing knowledge and techniques for resource recovery and site remediation of disposal sites. The distilled compilation of measurements and insights herein serves as a valuable primer for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers involved in MSW management.

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Section: Biodegradation Of Carbonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transformation, Transport, and Storage of Major Elements in Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites

Wang,

Zhou,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Several studies have hypothesized that the mobilization and transport of macroplastic (> 5 cm) on land is largely controlled by wind and rain. Wind was found to be one of the major removal pathways of plastic waste from open land lls (Barnes et al, 2009;Yadav et al, 2020;Fei et al, 2023). Signi cant positive correlations have been found between wind force and macroplastic abundance on riverbanks (Roebroek et al, 2020) and downwind beaches (Browne et al, 2010;Heo et al, 2013;Debrot et al, 2013;Imhof et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Wind- and rain-driven macroplastic mobilization and transport on land

Mellink,

Emmerik,

Mani

2023

Preprint

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Wind and rain are considered main drivers of mobilization and transport of macroplastics on land, yet there is a lack of empirical data that quantifies this. We present lab experiment results on land-based macroplastic mobilization and transport. We placed four types of macroplastics on terrains with varying surface roughness and slope angles, and exposed them to changing wind speeds and rain intensities. In general, we find that the mobilization probability and transport velocity of macroplastics strongly depend on the combination of the terrain characteristics and material properties. At Beaufort 3, 100% of the plastic bags were mobilized, whereas the for the other plastic less than 50% as mobilized. We find higher mobilization probabilities on land (grass: factor 1.5; paved: factor 5) than assumed by existing plastic transport models. Macroplastic transport velocities were positively correlated with wind speed, but not with rain intensity. This suggests that macroplastics are not transported on land by rain unless surface runoff develops that can bring the macroplastics afloat. Macroplastic transport velocities were, driven by wind, 1.9 and, driven by rain, 4.9 times faster on paved surfaces than on grass. This study enhances our understanding of land-based macroplastic transport and provides an empirical basis for models.

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“…Only relatively small particles can be suspended in the atmosphere, and unambiguous detection of such small MP particles is still difficult, if not impossible. Airborne MPs result from human use of plastics such as car tires and brakes worn during driving, abrasion of other plastic products, landfills, or contaminated agricultural fields. ,− MPs are transferred from the atmosphere via wet and dry deposition to terrestrial and marine environments, where they pose a threat to ecosystems and possibly act as a further secondary MP source for the atmosphere. For instance, MPs can be injected into the atmosphere by sea spray from the polluted ocean and resuspension from soils .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric Resuspension of Microplastics from Bare Soil Regions

Evangelou,

Tatsii,

Bucci

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as an atmospheric pollutant. Here, we present a method of estimating MP resuspension with mineral dust in bare soil based on reported MP mass in soils, their enrichment in suspended dust relative to soil, and a mineral dust resuspension scheme. Using the estimated resuspensions, we simulate the global atmospheric MP transport and deposition using the dispersion model FLEXPART for two particle shape scenarios, spheres, and fibers. We estimate the uncertainties using a Monte Carlo technique that varies input data parameters within their reported ranges. The total MP resuspensions are estimated at about 104 (48−110) tonnes yr −1 . We find that bare soils in West Asia and North Africa are the main source regions. FLEXPART results show that fibers have higher concentrations in the atmosphere and are dispersed more widely than spheres. Annually, 75 (43−83) tonnes of microfibers are deposited on land and 29 (18−33) tonnes in the oceans. Resuspended MPs can even reach remote regions, such as the Arctic. The results suggest that areas with bare soils can be an important MP source; however, further research on the factors that affect resuspension is needed.

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The distribution, behavior, and release of macro- and micro-size plastic wastes in solid waste disposal sites

Cited by 25 publications

References 138 publications

Transformation, Transport, and Storage of Major Elements in Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites

Transformation, Transport, and Storage of Major Elements in Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites

Wind- and rain-driven macroplastic mobilization and transport on land

Atmospheric Resuspension of Microplastics from Bare Soil Regions

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