IMIS

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, and the potential negative consequences of plastic are a high political priority. More than 80% of plastics enters the marine environment from land via rivers. To prevent plastic from entering the marine environment, where it rapidly disperses and is difficult to remove, more than thirty cleanup technologies are currently already available. For these technologies, the emphasis is on the most efficient removal of plastic, with limited consideration given to potential bycatch (e.g., living organisms and organic debris). This accidental and unintended bycatch often performs essential functions in river ecosystems where the cleanup technologies are applied. Estuaries are considered areas of high biodiversity, providing feeding grounds, refuges, and nurseries for a number of endangered and commercially important species. To date, there is no objective tool to quantify the bycatch of plastic cleanup technologies. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by using a probabilistic model to create a decision-making framework for plastic removal technologies. Such a framework will support river managers in selecting appropriate technologies to remove plastics while simultaneously limiting ecological collateral damage.