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Abstract
The paper presents a conceptual model of the route of macroplastic debris (>5 mm) through a fluvial system, which can support future works on the overlooked processes of macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers. We divided the macroplastic route into (1) input, (2) transport, (3) storage, (4) remobilization and (5) output phases. Phase 1 is mainly controlled by humans, phases 2–4 by fluvial processes, and phase 5 by both types of controls. We hypothesize that the natural characteristics of fluvial systems and their modification by dam reservoirs and flood embankments construction are key controls on macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers. The zone of macroplastic storage can be defined as a river floodplain inundated since the beginning of widespread disposal of plastic waste to the environment in the 1960s and the remobilization zone as a part of the storage zone influenced by floodwaters and bank erosion. The amount of macroplastic in both zones can be estimated using data on the abundance of surface- and subsurface-stored macroplastic and the lateral and vertical extent of the zones. Our model creates the framework for estimation of how much plastic has accumulated in rivers and will be present in future riverscapes.
Highlights
Plastic debris has been disposed of in the natural environment since the 1960s [1]
Previous works suggested that both natural and anthropogenic characteristics of river catchments control the input and transport of plastic debris in fluvial systems [12,13,15,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29], and that macroplastic constitutes most of riverine plastic debris in terms of mass [26]
Precise information is still required on the spatial and temporal extent of the storage of macroplastic debris in river deposits and riparian vegetation, and the estimation of the potential for macroplastic remobilization caused by water inundation and erosion processes
Summary
Plastic debris has been disposed of in the natural environment since the 1960s [1]. Since that time, rivers worldwide have transported this new, synthetic component [1,2,3,4], which caused numerous aesthetic, ethical, economic, and environmental problems Previous works suggested that both natural (e.g., hydrological processes, channel morphology, and riparian vegetation) and anthropogenic characteristics of river catchments (e.g., plastic waste management) control the input and transport of plastic debris in fluvial systems [12,13,15,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29], and that macroplastic constitutes most of riverine plastic debris in terms of mass [26]. (iii) management of present and future remobilization of plastic, (iv) assessment of related risks, and (v) the influence of macroplastic debris on the aesthetic value of river landscapes [31,32,33] From this perspective, precise information is still required on the spatial and temporal extent of the storage of macroplastic debris in river deposits (both surface and subsurface) and riparian vegetation, and the estimation of the potential for macroplastic remobilization caused by water inundation and erosion processes. We used the above highlighted similarities and information from the literature to infer the main controls on macroplastic storage and remobilization in rivers
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