Accurate and effective analysis of microplastics depends on the purification of any biogenic matter present in the environmental sample. Within the soil environment, the presence of biogenic materials (living and non-living) obstruct reliable identification of microplastics. However, while conventional acidic, alkaline, and wet peroxidation methods are often used for microplastics purification, they can result in significant alteration to the polymer integrity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe surge in the use of plastic materials, its poor handling and disposal have led to an increase in microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments. Microplastic pollution in soils is of concern due to potential influences on soil properties which play a critical role in plant growth and soil fertility. Moreover, the soil environment is a key nexus linking the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, and thus represents a crucial conduit for pollutant migration from the anthroposphere.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHydrodynamic modelling is a powerful tool to gain understanding of river conditions. However, as widely known, models vary in terms of how they respond to changes and uncertainty in their input parameters. A hydrodynamic river model (MIKE HYDRO River) was developed and calibrated for a flood-prone tidal river located in South East Queensland, Australia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough the vegetation within constructed stormwater wetlands plays an important role in the treatment processes taking place, its density and distribution depends on the wetland bathymetry and the imposed hydrologic regime. This paper describes an ecological and hydrological assessment of a constructed stormwater treatment wetland over a 5 year period. This assessment included the use of a continuous simulation hydrologic model combined with a Digital Elevation Model of the wetland bathymetry, plus a time series of vegetation maps.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF