Summary
This field study in the Odaw catchment, Ghana demonstrates that mismanaged plastic waste (MPW), rather than hydrometeorological factors, is the primary driver of macroplastic pollution variability in rivers. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, rainfall, discharge, and windspeed showed only weak correlations with observed macroplastic transport, whilst MPW and population density exhibited strong spatial correlations with pollution levels. The findings highlight the limited explanatory power of hydrological processes alone and underscore the dominance of anthropogenic waste management practices in determining river plastic pollution.
UK applicability
Whilst the specific findings are contextualised to Ghana's waste management infrastructure and hydrology, the methodological approach and conceptual emphasis on anthropogenic factors over hydrometeorology may be relevant to UK river systems where poorly managed waste enters waterways. However, the UK's more advanced waste collection systems and different hydrological regimes suggest that the relative importance of MPW versus hydrometeorological drivers may differ materially.
Key measures
Macroplastic transport density (floating plastics counted visually at river locations); macroplastic density at riverbank and land sites; rainfall (mm); river discharge (m³/s); windspeed (m/s); globally modelled mismanaged plastic waste estimates; population density
Outcomes reported
The study measured macroplastic transport density and counts at ten river locations and nine riverbank/land locations over one year, whilst quantifying correlations between mismanaged plastic waste, population density, hydrometeorological variables, and observed macroplastic pollution.
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