The Trash Tracker: A Macroplastic Fate and Transport Model at River Basin Scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvette Mellink ◽  
Tim van Emmerik ◽  
Charlotte Laufkötter ◽  
Merel Kooi ◽  
Helge Niemann
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Type Of Land Use ◽  
Practical Tool ◽  
Ocean Gyres ◽  
Global Concern

<p>Plastic pollution in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is of growing global concern due to its negative impact on environmental health and human livelihood. Most plastic research to date focused on observing and modelling plastic in the oceans, revealing that the highest plastic concentrations are found in the five ocean gyres (“the garbage patches”). Plastic waste originating from land has been identified as the main source of marine plastic debris. Yet it remains highly uncertain which processes control the mobilisation and transport of plastic waste over land to rivers and eventually to the ocean. Here, we introduce the Trash Tracker, a numerical model to forecast the pathways and fate of plastic waste in terrestrial and freshwater systems. In this model, the plastic transporting agents, wind and surface runoff, are resisted by the friction of the terrain. The terrain resistance, a function of the surface slope and the type of land use, is translated to thresholds that define the critical wind and surface runoff conditions required to mobilise and transport macroplastics. By repeatedly checking whether the wind and/or surface runoff conditions are strong enough to overcome their respective thresholds, the Trash Tracker simulates the transport of plastics and allows us to identify accumulation hotspots and high probability transport routes of plastic waste within river basins. This makes the Trash Tracker a practical tool for preventing, mitigating and reducing plastic pollution in the natural environment.</p>

Identifying global hotspots of plastic waste accumulation along river networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus Gomez-Velez ◽  
Stefan Krause
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
River Network ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Trapping Efficiency ◽  
River Networks ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Relative Location ◽  
Plastic Pollution

<p>Global plastic pollution is affecting ecosystems and human health globally. Proposing solutions and coping strategies for this threat requires a clear understanding of the processes controlling the fate and transport of mismanaged plastics at multiple scales, going from watersheds to regions and even continents. River corridors are the primary conveyor and trap for mismanaged plastic produced within the landscape and eventually released to the ocean. New approaches that apply technological sensing innovations for monitoring plastic waste in aquatic environments can improve observations and plastic waste datasets globally. However, our understanding of when, where, and how to target monitoring is limited, reducing the benefit gained. There is therefore a critical demand for predictions of hotspots (as well as hot moments) of plastic accumulation along river networks globally, in order to optimize observational capacity.     </p><p>Here, we present a new global flow and transport model for plastic waste in riverine environments. Our model predicts that only a small fraction (roughly 2.5%) of the global mismanaged plastic that entered rivers since the 1950s has been delivered to the ocean by 2020, with an overwhelming majority sequestered in freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, we predict the patterns of mismanaged plastic accumulation and its residence time depend on (i) the topology and geometry of the river network, (ii) the relative location of plastic sources, and (ii) the relative location and trapping efficiency of flow regulation structures, primarily large dams. Our results highlight the role of rivers as major sinks for plastic waste and the need for targeted remedial strategies that consider the structure of the river network and anthropogenic regulation when proposing intervention measures and sampling efforts.</p>

scholarly journals Kas atsakingas už švarius vandenynus?

2020 ◽  
pp. 202-228
Author(s):  
Gretė Bagdonaitė ◽  
Leila Abi Chaker
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
International Regulation ◽  
Ocean Pollution ◽  
Pollution Problem ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Ocean Ecosystem ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
National Economies

More and more oceans are polluted by plastic waste emmitted by humans. Unrestricted production and consumption of plastic products have a major negative impact not only on the world’s lungs – the oceans but also on human health. Ocean plastic pollution is caused by human activities, particularly land-based activities. Therefore, this article addresses two key aspects that should be tackled with this pollution problem. First, the article presents the existing international regulation directed against ocean pollution by land-based sources, highlighting its inefficiencies and shortcomings, while suggesting what decisions should be taken on the international scene. Secondly, Secondly, it discusses ways in which the amount of plastic waste generated can be reduced, with positive consequences not only for the ocean ecosystem but also for national economies.

scholarly journals Plastic in global rivers: are floods making it worse?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caspar T.J. Roebroek ◽  
Shaun Harrigan ◽  
Tim van Emmerik ◽  
Calum Baugh ◽  
Dirk Eilander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Transport Models ◽  
River Flood ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
High Plastic

Abstract Riverine plastic pollution is of global concern due to its negative impact on ecosystem health and human livelihood. Recent studies show a strong link between river discharge and plastic transport, but the role of floods is still unresolved. We combined high resolution mismanaged plastic waste data and river flood extents with increasing return periods to estimate flood-driven plastic mobilisation, aggregated at administration unit, country and global scale. We show that 10-year return period floods already tenfold the global plastic mobilisation potential compared to non-flood conditions. In the worst affected regions, plastic mobilisation increases up to five orders of magnitude. Our results suggest a high inter-annual variability in plastic mobilisation, previously ignored by global plastic transport models. Flood defences reduce plastic mobilisation substantially, but regions vulnerable to flooding often coincide with high plastic mobilisation potential during floods. Consequentially, clean-up and mitigation measures and flood risk management are inherently interdependent and need to be managed holistically.

scholarly journals Shredder machine for plastic recycling: A review paper

2022 ◽  
Vol 1217 (1) ◽  
pp. 012007
Author(s):  
J H Wong ◽  
M J H Gan ◽  
B L Chua ◽  
M Gakim ◽  
N J Siambun
Keyword(s):  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Waste Materials ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Plastic Recycling ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Critical Components

Abstract Plastic pollution has become a global concern due to poor plastic waste disposal management. As an alternative, independent recycling efforts are necessary. A Plastic shredder machine is a preliminary machine used to cut plastic waste into small pieces before turning it into useful products. The concept design of the shredder machine that is currently available is fairly similar. The shaft and blades are the critical components in the shredder machine that determines its performance. The geometry and orientation of the blades that were fitted into the single or double-shafts were found to directly affect the shredding performance. Therefore, this article aims to review the various geometry and orientations of the blades that give direct effect on the shredding performance, as well as identifying the research gaps related to the shredder machine for plastic waste materials

scholarly journals Beverage bottle capacity, packaging efficiency, and the potential for plastic waste reduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Becerril-Arreola ◽  
R. E. Bucklin
Keyword(s):  
Product Category ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Pet Waste ◽  
Pet Bottles ◽  
Enormous Amount ◽  
Packaging Efficiency ◽  
The U.S

AbstractPlastic pollution is a pressing issue because authorities struggle to contain and process the enormous amount of waste produced. We study the potential for reducing plastic waste by examining the efficiency with which different polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles deliver beverages. We find that 80% of the variation in bottle weight is explained by bottle capacity, 16% by product category, and 1% by brand. Bottle weight is quadratic and convex function of capacity, which implies that medium capacity bottles are most efficient at delivering consumable product. Local data on PET bottle sales and municipal waste recovery validate the findings. A 20% shift in consumption from smaller to larger bottles could reduce the production of PET waste by over 10,000 t annually in the U.S. alone.

scholarly journals How important risk analysis of plastic pollution in coastal area? Case study in Masohi, Central Maluku

2020 ◽  
Vol 200 ◽  
pp. 02014
Author(s):  
Bachtiar W Mutaqin ◽  
Muh Aris Marfai ◽  
Muhammad Helmi ◽  
Nurhadi Nurhadi ◽  
Muhammad Rizali Umarella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study

Human pressure on the coastal and aquatic surrounding ecosystem in Indonesia, through plastic waste, is increasing, considering that 60 % of the approximately 250 million people live in the coastal areas. Plastic waste originating from human activities has become a massive problem in almost all the small island and coastal regions, especially in the eastern part of Indonesia. This condition is caused by poor waste management and a lack of public awareness in disposing of waste in its place, including in an area known as its marine biodiversities and marine tourism spots like Masohi in Central Maluku. Also, the composition of waste is dominated by plastic waste that cannot be decomposed in a short period, continue circulated on the ocean currents, and will be deposited in coastal areas. Furthermore, some plastic waste will break down into micro-plastics that pollute not only the environment but also marine biota, which are often consumed by humans. This situation profoundly affects the sustainability and function of aquaecosystem services in coastal areas. Therefore, a comprehensive policy and regulation, and interdisciplinary study for analysing vulnerable coastal ecosystem, and mitigating the potential risk of plastic pollution in Masohi, Central Maluku are essential to be conducted.

scholarly journals Pendidikan Lingkungan: Plastic Pollution Awareness di Desa Jatireja, Cikarang, Jawa Barat

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filson M Sidjabat ◽  
Yunita Ismail ◽  
Evi Rismauli
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Waste Utilization ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
West Java ◽  
Education Community ◽  
The Government ◽  
Social Empowerment

Waste problems in Indonesia has reached a critical point that is contaminating many aspects in community. Poor waste management in land have an impact in water pollutions, rivers, and toward the ocean. This rivers and oceans pollution are become the spotlights for the world and the government. As a part of education community in West Java, President University has an important role to educati and find solutions relate with this issues, one of them is to implement Thidharma in the form of social empowerment in Jatireja Village. This environmental education activities was sharing knowledge about plastic waste treatment and management that can be conducted in household scale, and to encourage behavioral change and awareness among communities. Creative product of eco-brick was also implemented tas a part of waste utilization to make valueable product. Environmental education are needed to improve community awareness on plastic waste in Indonesia, especially in West Java.

scholarly journals Design of a serious game for children to raise awareness on plastic pollution and promoting pro-environmental behaviors

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Loukia Panagiotopoulou ◽  
Nora Cía Gayarre ◽  
Giulia Wally Scurati ◽  
Roberta Etzi ◽  
Gemma Massetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Great Production ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract The massive presence of plastic in the oceans, both in form of large debris and micro-plastic, is raising global concern due to its serious effects on the marine environment and fauna, causing loss of biodiversity and potentially threatening human health. Even though this is due to poor waste management, the great production and consumption of single-use plastic is a significant exacerbating factor. Despite policies and bans can be effective measures, there is also the need to raise consumers' awareness, so they can make more sustainable choices when purchasing, using and, dismissing products. In particular, educating young citizens and encouraging them to engage in pro-environmental behaviors is a fundamental task to reach this goal. In this work, we present Contact from the future, a digital game on plastic pollution for children, to create awareness and stimulate pro-environmental behaviors, discussing the definition of objectives and requirements, as well as the design and development of the application.

REDUCING THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE OPERATION OF GAS FIRED MELTING FURNACES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luboslav Straka ◽  
Tibor Krenicky
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Melting Furnace ◽  
Operating Mode ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Experimental Measurements ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Overall Efficiency

Due to the growing production on a global scale, the use of fossil fuels is also increasing. Therefore, the control of pollutant emissions produced in the industrial sphere has become a global concern. In general, an imperfect combustion process has a negative impact on the overall efficiency and economy of plant operation, but at the same time increases the share of total emissions in the environment. We also encounter this problem when operating gas fired melting furnaces. Therefore, the paper aimed to describe the results of experimental measurements of the number of emissions produced during the operation of a gas fired melting furnace, which in practice is mainly used for melting alloys. Experimental measurements were oriented to find the most suitable variant of the operating mode of the gas fired melting furnace with regard to minimizing the total amount of emissions produced.

Negative Impact of Ideology in Albanian Literature

2019 ◽  
pp. 124-142
Author(s):  
Marisa Kerbizi ◽  
Edlira Tonuzi Macaj
Keyword(s):  
Political Ideology ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Second World War ◽  
The Political ◽  
World War ◽  
Practical Tool ◽  
Theoretical Frame ◽  
Interpretative Approach ◽  
The Right ◽  
Second World

Ideology as a form of ideas and as a practical tool with determinative purposes in certain circumstances may become very influential and risky, too. Albanian literature, as one of the East Bloc countries where communism was installed as a political system after the Second World War, severely suffered the ideology consequences in art. The purpose of this research is to focus on some problems related to the limitations, restrictions, deviation, regression created by ideology in literature. Concrete case studies will complete the theoretical frame through the analytical, historical, aesthetical, and interpretative approach. The hypothesis sustains the idea that the political ideology of the Albanian dictatorial system has found many ways to damage the most representative authors and their artistic works of Albanian literature. The ideology claimed “the compulsory educational system” by interfering in the school textbooks, by excluding several authors from those textbooks, by denying their inclusion or the right for publication, or even by eliminating them physically.

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