Distribution and Transport of Micro/Nano Plastics, Chemical Contaminants & Biological Agents in Industrial, Urban and Rural Aquatic Environments

Abstract:

Cohesive fine-grained sediments have the potential to flocculate in marine environments, and these flocs have the ability to adsorb a range of pollutants. The motivation for this research was to examine and assess with the magnitude, distribution and transport of micro/nano plastics, chemicals and biological contaminants across a range of aquatic environments. Relevant data sets (of varying degrees of detail and spatial/temporal coverage) were compiled from a range of existing repositories and available studies.

Data sets include: Sediment samples/settling dynamics from Lake Apopka, Sedmiment samples and compositions from Charleston Harbour and Winyah Bay, Sediment samples and compositions from Plymouth Sound, More will follow later in the project but are not confirmed at this time

In addition, Plymouth Sound and the lower Tamar Estuary (SW England, UK) was deemed a good location scientifically to conduct the primary data survey (e.g. sediment dynamics, hydrodynamics, bathymetry, etc), as within the area there is a wide range of human activity including industrial, commercial and residential that could have an impact on the level of contamination in the water. Other factors considered include: the type of sedimentation present at the various test sites and how these may impact on any pollutants present and resultant behaviour (e.g. accumulation/transit); the current/tidal behaviour at the sites and how these will impact the different pollution types and related transport mechanisms. Case studies within each study area will be outlined in context and used for comparison purposes, and will be supplemented with further secondary / supporting data sets, and collectively in order to assist in drawing conclusions. An overview on the results acquired, analysis of various case study scenarios, data assessments, comparisons and synthesis, and the conclusions that can be drawn from them will all be presented.

Keywords: Microplastics, Nanoplastics, Chemicals, Trace Metals, Hydrocarbons, Cyan bacteria, Carriers, Flocculation, Settling Dynamics, Sediment, Salinity, Tides, Currents