Plastics model
The benefits
In short- Simulates river export of plastics
- Based on Global NEWS framework
- Includes point and diffuse sources
- Considers retention and wastewater treatment
- Enables future scenario analyses
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The plastics model simulates the export of microplastics from rivers to coastal seas, addressing potential threats to water quality in freshwater and coastal systems. Its modelling framework is based on the Global NEWS model, using similar approaches for river basin export processes, point and diffuse sources of pollution, and future scenario analyses. The model also represents riverine retention and wastewater treatment as removal processes. At present, the plastics model has been applied to point source inputs of microplastics for major river basins draining into European seas, using the same river basin delineation as Global NEWS. Simulations have been performed for the years 2000 and 2050, employing Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) scenarios to project future plastics export. Current developments focus on extending the model to global scale applications, including macroplastics, and exploring sewage and wastewater management strategies to design tailored future scenarios.
Figure 1: River export of plastics from land to sea.
Figure 2. Calculated change (in %) in riverine micro plastic inputs to European seas between 2000 to 2050. Note: micro plastics from sewage only.
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about the plastics model? Ask our expert:
prof.dr. C (Carolien) Kroeze
Rector magnificus / vice president executive board
Further reading
River Export of Plastic from Land to Sea: A Global Modeling Approach
Siegfried, Max , Gabbert, S.G.M. , Koelmans, A.A. , Kroeze, C. , Löhr, A.J. , Verburg, Charlotte (2016) Geophysical Research Abstracts (2016), Volume: 18, Issue: HS5.10 - ISSN 1029-7006