Inland Navigation Contributes to the Remobilization of Land-Based Plastics Into Riverine Systems

Riverine systems are directly affected by plastic pollution and function as pathways for transport to the sea. Plastic litter can enter water remobilization from bed or riverbank, after which it be transported with flow. The process of is still poorly understood. To get a detailed understanding role rivers play in hence develop management measures prevent mitigate vital fundamental factors contributing on riverbank. Therefore, we investigated how wave action inland navigation, one dominant actors anthropogenic rivers, affects land-based plastics. Quantification was performed along riverbank an intensely navigated river Netherlands (the Waal) allowing real-world assessment remobilization. pieces were placed at standardized distances average waterline determine different locations. Subsequently, actions passing navigation used assess Inland induced found significantly cause plastics present distance object combined height, slope size probability. Overall, effect strongest within ? 1.0 m waterline. With height ? 0.5 all up 3.0 remobilized thereby potentially downstream through river.