Macrolitter budget and spatial distribution in a groyne field along the Waal river

J. J. Grosfeld*, M. M. Schoor, R. Taormina, W. M.J. Luxemburg, F. P.L. Collas

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
37 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Current research on riverine macrolitter does not yet provide a theoretic framework on the dynamics behind its accumulation and distribution along riverbanks. In an attempt to better understand these dynamics a detailed field survey of three months was conducted in which location of macrolitter items within a single groyne field along the Waal riverbanks was tracked. The data provided insight into the daily changing patterns of spatial item distribution with respect to the waterline. Furthermore, the rates of item uptake and deposition were monitored and related to hydrologic fluctuations. Uptake was initiated by rising water levels and was generally higher when the water level increased faster. Deposition occurred continuously, despite hydrologic fluctuations. This caused the riverbank macrolitter budget to be positive during stable or dropping water levels and negative during rising water levels. Although the results show clear patterns an extended monitoring duration is required to fully understand the fate of plastic objects.

Original languageEnglish
Article number116110
Number of pages9
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume200
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Accumulation
  • Freshwater
  • Macroplastic
  • Monitoring
  • Pollution
  • Riverbanks

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