Environmental Risks Posed by Microplastics in Urban Waterways

Description

This book presents comprehensive knowledge regarding the spatial and temporal distributions, influential factors, interactions with coexisting contaminants, migration behavior, and environmental risk posed by microplastics (MPs) in urban waterways. It provides a novel theoretical approach for the combined risks from MPs and coexisting contaminants, and advanced three-dimensional modeling techniques for different MPs’ dispersal and transport behaviors in urban waterways. Additionally, this book presents a scientifically robust investigation on the correlations between various influential factors and heterogeneity in relation to MP presence in river systems. The new knowledge presented would be of particular interest to readers such as urban water management professionals, urban plastic waste regulators, decision-makers, urban planners, and water environment quality model developers, as it provides practical solutions and recommendations for plastic-polluted river quality improvement from a risk management perspective. Preface Contents 1 Microplastics as Emerging Pollutants in Urban Waterways 1.1 Background 1.2 MPs as Environmental Pollutants 1.3 Pollution of Urban Waterways by MPs 1.3.1 Occurrence 1.3.2 Morphological Characteristics 1.4 Comparison of MPs Presence in the Water Column and the Sediment Bed 1.5 Limitations in MPs Quantification 1.6 Summary References 2 Factors Influencing MPs Presence in Urban Waterways 2.1 Background 2.2 Influence of Emission Sources 2.2.1 Terrestrial-Based Sources 2.2.2 Aquatic-Based Sources 2.2.3 Atmospheric-Based Sources 2.3 Influence of Environmental Factors 2.3.1 Hydrodynamic Conditions 2.3.2 Photothermal Degradation 2.3.3 Microorganism Colonisation 2.4 Summary References 3 Risk Associated with MPs in Urban Waterways 3.1 Background 3.2 Release of Toxic Additives in MPs 3.2.1 Organic Compounds 3.2.2 Metals 3.3 Interaction with Contaminants Existing in the Environment 3.3.1 Chemical Contaminants 3.3.2 Microorganisms 3.4 Summary References 4 Case Study—Risks Posed by MPs Presence and Transport in Brisbane River Sediments, Australia 4.1 Background 4.2 Sampling Design 4.2.1 Study Sites Selection 4.2.2 Sample Collection 4.3 Laboratory Data Generation 4.3.1 MPs Separation, Identification and Quantification 4.3.2 Nutrient Analysis 4.3.3 Metals Analysis 4.4 Risks Associated with MPs 4.4.1 Abundance of MPs in Brisbane River Sediments 4.4.2 Hazard Index Assessment of Different MP Types 4.4.3 Risks from Nutrients and Metals in Brisbane River Sediments 4.5 Risks Associated with MPs Transport and Dispersion 4.5.1 Modelling Approach 4.5.2 MP Dispersal and Transport Model Development 4.5.3 Variability of MPs Migration Behaviour in Brisbane River Sediments 4.6 Summary References 5 Practical Implications and Recommendations for Further Research 5.1 Implication of Plastic Pollutants in Urban Waterways 5.1.1 Tracking Plastic Pollutants 5.1.2 Implementation of Waste Plastics Management 5.2 Recommendations for Further Research Index