The role of hydrometeorology in river plastic pollution

Summary

Plastic pollution is a global issue with negative consequences for ecosystems and society. Rivers play a crucial role in this by causing both physical and chemical damage to plants and animals, and affecting society through infrastructure blockages and chemical contamination of agricultural areas. This research focuses on the role of hydrometeorological processes in the transport of plastic in rivers. Observations and statistical analyses show that these processes explain only a small part of the variation in plastic density. However, extreme weather conditions such as floods can significantly increase plastic mobilization. The theoretical framework from this research divides the plastic flow into transport capacity and the presence of plastic. The findings suggest that human behavior plays a major role in plastic pollution in rivers, highlighting the importance of preventive measures and behavioral change to effectively address the problem.