摘要
河岸是塑膠污染重要的來源，不過現今河岸垃圾評估方法是抽樣的點狀調查，既費時又有空間的侷限。為了快速評估大範圍的熱點與垃圾分佈，本研究發展一套新的公民科學調查方法，以騎乘腳踏車的方式來調查河岸垃圾。身為全球塑膠污染最嚴重的河流之一，台灣淡水河流域約281.5公里，我們以此方法來檢驗淡水河流域的垃圾。調查發現，河口海岸垃圾密度為15.3立方公尺/公里；而河岸至上游的垃圾密度則是0.2-2.8立方公尺/公里。海岸垃圾主要是廢棄漁具；而河岸則以一次用塑膠製品與非法棄置為主。我們還發現，垃圾密度與人口密度沒有相關，但值得注意的是垃圾熱點位於河道轉彎處與鄰近的紅樹林植群。整體來看，這個新方法證實適用於蒐集大量科學數據，且能快速評估垃圾累積熱點，作為後續清除的參考。
Abstract
Riverbanks are an important source of plastic pollution. However, the current assessment methods for riverbank litter are based on a point-based sampling which is time consuming and limited in scope. To quickly assess hotspot areas and litter compositions in larger areas, this study developed a new citizen science bicycle survey for riverine debris. Covering 281.5 km of the Tamsui river system in Taiwan, the new methodology was tested at one of the most plastics polluted rivers in the world. The results revealed an average litter density of 15.3 m3/km at the river mouth and of 0.2 m3/km to 2.8 m3/km along the riverbanks further upstream. The coastline was mainly polluted by derelict fishing gear whereas single-use plastics and illegally dumped waste dominated the upstream areas. A correlation between litter and population density could not be identified, but it was noted that litter hotspots occur at cut banks and near mangrove vegetation. Overall, the new methodology proved suitable to collect large quantities of data for scientific purposes and to quickly detect litter accumulations prior to clean-up activities.
Schneider, F., Kunz, A., Hu, C.-S., Yen, N., & Lin, H.-T. (2021). Rapid-Survey Methodology to Assess Litter Volumes along Large River Systems—A Case Study of the Tamsui River in Taiwan. Sustainability, 13(16), 8765. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13168765