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River of Plastic: The Journey of plastics along the Mekong and it ultimate fate in the world's oceans

Project Image

People Involved

Professor Daniel Parsons

Professor Robert Dorrell

Project Description

Over 95% of marine plastic originates from mega-rivers. The
Mekong is one of the most polluted in the world, transporting an
estimated 40 thousand tonnes of plastic into the world’s oceans. By 2050 the regional population will grow by >110 million people,
increasing waste in the coral triangle, the most biodiverse marine
area on our planet, situated at the Mekong’s mouth.
Understanding how plastic flows along the Mekong into the ocean
is key to reducing its impact.
Different plastics have different densities; although currently
unquantified, this results in plastic being transported at different
depths in rivers. Ultimately less than 1% is found at the surface
while the remaining 99% is unaccounted for. Understanding the
depth distribution of plastic is key both to predicting how it is
transported into, and concentrated in, the ocean and also the
hazards it poses to different marine and freshwater environments,
where it affects multiple food chains. Quantifying depth varying
plastic transport is vital to evaluate its threat.
A documented research cruise is proposed to undertake the first
study of plastic transport along a mega-river; from source to the
ocean. The research will provide unique data of the environmental
and societal impact of plastic and track its transport and ultimate
fate. The story told by the research is critical to public education
and in motivating innovation and technology development, both
needed to halt the flow of plastic waste to the ocean.

Project Acronym River of Plastic
Status Project Complete
Value £18,231.00
Project Dates Oct 5, 2018 - Oct 31, 2021
Partner Organisations Southern Institute of Water Resources Research
Institute of technology of Cambodia

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