Pinto Rose Boahemaa, van Emmerik Tim H M, Duah Kwame, van der Ploeg Martine, Uijlenhoet Remko
Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Nov 15;951:175463. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175463. Epub 2024 Aug 15.
Hydrometeorological processes are often assumed to be key drivers of plastic transport. However, the predominant focus on these factors overlooks the impact of anthropogenic factors, such as mismanaged plastic waste (MPW) on plastic transport variability. Here, we investigate the roles of both anthropogenic and hydrometeorological factors on plastic pollution in the Odaw catchment, Ghana. Data on macroplastic transport and density were collected at ten locations between December 2021 and December 2022. We tested for differences between the wet and dry seasons and applied a multiple regression analysis to examine the separate and combined impact of hydrometeorological variables (rainfall, discharge, and windspeed) on macroplastic transport. Additionally, we analyzed the spatial correlation in macroplastic transport/density with MPW and population density. Data collection involved visual counting of floating macroplastics at 10 river locations and counting litter at 9 riverbanks and land locations. Rainfall data was sourced from TAHMO (Trans-African Hydrometeorological Observatory), discharge was measured during field campaigns, and windspeed data sourced from a global climate data provider. We used globally modelled MPW estimates to represent anthropogenic factors. Contrary to previous studies, we found no seasonal differences in macroplastic pollution and only weak correlations were observed between the hydrometeorological variables and macroplastic transport. However, a strong correlation was observed between MPW and macroplastic pollution. We hypothesize that, the influence of hydrometeorological factors on macroplastic transport depend on the relative impact of anthropogenic factors. Our research highlights the limited role of hydrometeorology, showing the significant role of mismanaged plastic waste to field monitored macroplastic pollution variability in the catchment. This insight is essential for future research as it highlights the importance of holistically investigating both anthropogenic and hydrometeorological factors in explaining plastic transport and retention dynamics. This insight is essential for developing interventions that effectively address plastic pollution in catchments.
水文气象过程通常被认为是塑料运输的关键驱动因素。然而，对这些因素的主要关注忽视了人为因素的影响，比如管理不善的塑料垃圾（MPW）对塑料运输变异性的影响。在此，我们调查了人为因素和水文气象因素对加纳奥达流域塑料污染的作用。2021年12月至2022年12月期间，在十个地点收集了关于大塑料运输和密度的数据。我们测试了雨季和旱季之间的差异，并应用多元回归分析来检验水文气象变量（降雨量、流量和风速）对大塑料运输的单独和综合影响。此外，我们分析了大塑料运输/密度与MPW和人口密度的空间相关性。数据收集包括在10个河流地点目视计数漂浮的大塑料，以及在9个河岸和陆地地点计数垃圾。降雨数据来自TAHMO（泛非水文气象观测站），流量在实地考察期间进行测量，风速数据来自全球气候数据提供商。我们使用全球模拟的MPW估计值来代表人为因素。与之前的研究相反，我们发现大塑料污染没有季节性差异，并且在水文气象变量和大塑料运输之间仅观察到微弱的相关性。然而，在MPW和大塑料污染之间观察到很强的相关性。我们推测，水文气象因素对大塑料运输的影响取决于人为因素的相对影响。我们的研究突出了水文气象学的有限作用，表明管理不善的塑料垃圾对流域实地监测的大塑料污染变异性具有重要作用。这一见解对未来研究至关重要，因为它突出了全面调查人为因素和水文气象因素在解释塑料运输和滞留动态方面的重要性。这一见解对于制定有效解决流域塑料污染的干预措施至关重要。
