Ben Stride, Charlotte Dykes, Soroush Abolfathi, Modupe Jimoh, Gary D Bending, Jonathan Pearson

The transport of microplastics within urban water systems remains poorly understood, with little prior research on their behaviour within manhole configurations. This study represents the first to measure and model the transport dynamics of microplastics within circular and square manholes under different hydraulic scenarios. The transport and fate of polyethylene (PE) was quantified and compared to solutes (Rhodamine WT dye) using energy losses, residence time distributions (RTDs), and mixing models within surcharging and overflowing manholesThis establishes the deconvolution method as the most accurate and appropriate model to accurately predict microplastic mixing in manholes and urban drainage systems.

Science of the Total Environment. November 2023