Macroplastic distribution patterns and accumulation in an urbanised Austral subtropical river system.

ABSTRACT: Plastic products have resulted in enormous pollution in many ecosystem types and regions worldwide. The problem is particularly prominent within aquatic environments, where multiple anthropogenic sources (i.e., agriculture, urbanisation, industries, illegal dumping) are common, exacerbated by interconnectedness between aquatic and terrestrial environments and management challenges. Regional disparities are also common within macroplastic research, with a scarcity of knowledge in African freshwaters. Here, by considering seven riparian sites across four seasons, we determined the abundance and distribution of macroplastic litter along the South African Crocodile River system and its associated tributaries. Macroplastics were sorted and classified into various polymer groups, functional orig

SUBMITTER: Dalu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11914210 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature