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by toufiqbarhamov
2644 days ago
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Here is the paper the statistic is based on. https://twin.sci-hub.tw/7148/507066f35e75c25d1b1e160ada5693c... ABSTRACT: A substantial fraction of marine plastic debris originates from
land-based sources and rivers potentially act as a major transport pathway for
all sizes of plastic debris. We analyzed a global compilation of data on plastic
debris in the water column across a wide range of river sizes. Plastic debris
loads, both microplastic (particles <5 mm) and macroplastic (particles >5
mm) are positively related to the mismanaged plastic waste (MMPW)
generated in the river catchments. This relationship is nonlinear where large
rivers with population-rich catchments delivering a disproportionately
higher fraction of MMPW into the sea. The 10 top-ranked rivers transport
88−95% of the global load into the sea. Using MMPW as a predictor we
calculate the global plastic debris inputs form rivers into the sea to range
between 0.41 and 4 × 106 t/y. Due to the limited amount of data high
uncertainties were expected and ultimately confirmed. The empirical analysis
to quantify plastic loads in rivers can be extended easily by additional potential predictors other than MMPW, for example, hydrological conditions. It’s worth pointing out that this is a single study, and I’m unsure of the accuracy of their methods of inference and sampling. The link to a previous comment in this thread implies that it’s incorrect, so keep that in mind as well. |
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