[Introduction]
Marine microplastics are a global environmental concern and originate from several sources. We previously reported the release of microplastics, namely synthetic turf fibers(TF)and rubber infill(rubber tips, RT)from artificial turf sports fields. In the present study, we created traps using a wire mesh to prevent TF and RT from flowing into the environment. We also examined whether the depth of the drainage basin affected the release of TF and RT owing to water flow.
[Methods]
1)Simulation experiments were conducted using a plastic container as a model for the drainage basin. The container had an opening on one side and a trap made of wire mesh attached to the opening from the inside. The TF or RT was placed in the container, and water was allowed to flow through the container. The amount of TF and RT caught and remaining in the container with or without the trap was measured. The cost of making each trap varied from 360 to 11,000 Japanese yen, depending on the wire mesh count.
2)A verification test was conducted by setting a trap in a drainpipe in the drainage basin of an artificial turf sports field. The TF and RT migrated from the ditch of the field to the drainage basin, flowed into the sewage pipe via rainwater, and eventually reached the sewage treatment plant. We measured and compared the TF and RT amounts in the drainage basin with or without the trap during the experimental period.
3)Simulation experiments were conducted to determine whether the depth of the drainage basin affected the release of TF and RT from the plastic container owing to water flow.
[Results]
1)The wire mesh traps effectively caught the TF and RT under the applied water flow, and the amount of TF and RT that passed through the container decreased.
2)When the trap was attached to the drainpipe, larger amounts of TF and RT remained in the drainage basin compared to that with the drainpipe without a trap.
3)The amount of TF and RT remaining in the containers increased with increasing depth of the drainage basin.
[Discussion]
Our wire mesh traps prevented the release of TF and RT into the environment. Because the structure of the trap is simple, fabrication is possible at low cost. Further experiments are required for the practical use of the trap in terms of its durability and maintenance.
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