Developing a methodology to quantify mismanaged plastic waste entering the ocean in coastal countries

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Oceanography
• Waste Management

Background:

• Marine plastic pollution is a significant global environmental issue.
• Rivers are recognized as major pathways for plastic debris entering oceans.
• River basins can also act as significant accumulation zones for plastic waste, challenging uniform transport models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a novel methodology for estimating plastic waste release from river basins into the ocean.
• To incorporate detailed river basin characteristics, including natural features and anthropogenic structures, into waste transport estimations.
• To provide a more accurate assessment of plastic pollution dynamics originating from riverine sources.

Main Methods:

• A detailed characterization of river basins was performed, analyzing natural attributes and manmade constructions.
• A case study was conducted for the Region of Piura, Peru, to exemplify the proposed methodology.
• Plastic waste release was estimated considering factors that may impede or enhance transport.

Main Results:

• The study estimated a plastic waste release range of 4.2 to 13.9 kg/person/year into the Pacific coast for the Piura Region in 2018.
• The developed methodology yielded more conservative estimations compared to existing literature.
• The findings highlight the heterogeneity of waste transport dynamics within river systems.

Conclusions:

• The proposed methodology offers a more nuanced approach to estimating plastic waste dissipation from rivers to oceans.
• Accurate quantification of plastic release is crucial for effective marine debris management strategies.
• This tool can be readily adapted for diverse geographical contexts to improve waste management planning.