Floating matter: a neglected component of the ecological integrity of rivers

Shumilova, Oleksandra; Tockner, Klement; Gurnell, Angela M.; Langhans, Simone D.; Righetti, Maurizio; Lucía, Ana; Zarfl, Christiane

doi:10.1007/s00027-019-0619-2

Cited by 28 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 243 publications

(272 reference statements)

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“…[44,49]). However, once macroplastic starts to be transported and stored in a fluvial system, natural (e.g., climate, catchment topography, valley and channel morphology) and anthropogenic (dams, embankments) characteristics of the fluvial system seem to influence the transport and storage of macroplastic in a similar way as documented for woody debris [45].…”

Section: Plastic As a New Artificial Type Of River Loadmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…However, a growing body of evidence suggests that plastic debris may be treated as a new kind of sediment particles and thus a new type of river sediment load because of its ubiquity, longevity, and abundance in the environment [19]. The processes of transport, deposition and remobilization of mineral and organic sediments are controlled by their physical properties (e.g., density, size) and their relation to river size and hydrodynamics [42][43][44][45]. Recent insights into interactions of macroplastic debris with fluvial processes documented by laboratory experiments [46,47] and the monitoring of floating [24,26,27] and deposited macroplastic debris [48] suggest that transport, storage and remobilization of macroplastic debris are also partly related to fluvial processes.…”

Section: Plastic As a New Artificial Type Of River Loadmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent insights into interactions of macroplastic debris with fluvial processes documented by laboratory experiments [46,47] and the monitoring of floating [24,26,27] and deposited macroplastic debris [48] suggest that transport, storage and remobilization of macroplastic debris are also partly related to fluvial processes. The main similarities between macroplastic and larger particles of organic debris (e.g., seeds, vegetation propagules, large wood pieces) encompass their relatively low density and large surface area determining their transport by water in flotation (see [45]). Previous works also indicated a dependence of macroplastic transport on river hydrodynamics [27] and types of aquatic vegetation [26,30].…”

Section: Plastic As a New Artificial Type Of River Loadmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers

Liro

Emmerik

Wyżga‬‬

et al. 2020

Water

105

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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.

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Section: Plastic As a New Artificial Type Of River Loadmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Plastic As a New Artificial Type Of River Loadmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Plastic As a New Artificial Type Of River Loadmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers

Liro

Emmerik

Wyżga‬‬

et al. 2020

Water

105

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, a growing body of evidence suggests that plastic debris may be treated as a new kind of sediment particles and thus a new type of river sediment load because of its ubiquity, longevity, and abundance in the environment [19]. The processes of transport, deposition and remobilization of mineral and organic sediments are controlled by their physical properties (e.g., density, size) and their relation to river size and hydrodynamics [42][43][44][45]. Recent insights into interactions of macroplastic debris with fluvial processes documented by laboratory experiments [46][47] and monitoring of floating [24,26,27] and deposited macroplastic debris [48] suggest that transport, storage and remobilization of macroplastic debris are also partly related to fluvial processes.…”

Section: Plastic As a New Artificial Type Of River Loadmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent insights into interactions of macroplastic debris with fluvial processes documented by laboratory experiments [46][47] and monitoring of floating [24,26,27] and deposited macroplastic debris [48] suggest that transport, storage and remobilization of macroplastic debris are also partly related to fluvial processes. The main similarities between macroplastic and larger particles of organic debris (e.g., seeds, vegetation propagules, large wood pieces) encompass their relatively low density and large surface area determining their transport by water in flotation [see 45]. Previous works also indicated a dependence of macroplastic transport on river hydrodynamics [27] and types of aquatic vegetation [26,30].…”

Section: Plastic As a New Artificial Type Of River Loadmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers

Liro

Emmerik²,

Wyżga‬‬

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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 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 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.

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Physical modelling of large wood (LW) processes relevant for river management: Perspectives from New Zealand and Switzerland

Friedrich

Ravazzolo

Ruíz-Villanueva

et al. 2021

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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In the last 30 years, work on large wood (LW) has expanded and matured considerably, and river scientists, managers and practitioners now have a better appreciation of the role of LW in maintaining ecosystems, forming or stabilizing riverine landforms, and interacting with river morphodynamics. We have gained a better understanding of the hazards posed by the recruitment and transport of LW in the river channel and associated infrastructure. While LW dynamics have traditionally been studied in the natural river environment, innovations in laboratory techniques have enabled important advances in understanding LW process dynamics, using physical scale models, new sensors, scanners and sophisticated model boundary conditions. Current trends in LW laboratory research focus on (1) mobilization and transport of logs, (2) trapping and deposition of sediment in the presence of LW and(3) LW contribution to hydraulic flow resistance. Ultimately, a combined process understanding is needed to assess impacts upon infrastructure with erodible boundaries, such as bridge piers and LW retention racks. In this review, we present a critical analysis of emerging experimental work on LW obtained through physical modelling studies. We put recent experimental work in context with global LW management challenges. In particular, we set our work in context with the present environmental and engineering issues that confront catchment and natural resource managers in Switzerland and New Zealand. We show how improved physical models incorporating LW transport, accumulation and scouring processes are needed to contribute to more reliable hazard and risk assessment and improved river management in LW-prone systems.

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Floating matter: a neglected component of the ecological integrity of rivers

Cited by 28 publications

References 243 publications

Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers

Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers

Macroplastic Storage and Remobilization in Rivers

Physical modelling of large wood (LW) processes relevant for river management: Perspectives from New Zealand and Switzerland

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