IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i13p6177-d1695395.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Estimating Macroplastic Mass Transport from Urban Runoff in a Data-Scarce Watershed: A Case Study from Cordoba, Argentina

Author

Listed:
  • María Fernanda Funes

    (Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba 5000, Argentina)

  • Teresa María Reyna

    (Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba 5000, Argentina)

  • Carlos Marcelo García

    (Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba 5000, Argentina
    National Council for Scientific and Technical Research, Cordoba 5000, Argentina)

  • María Lábaque

    (Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba 5000, Argentina)

  • Sebastián López

    (Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba 5000, Argentina
    National Council for Scientific and Technical Research, Cordoba 5000, Argentina)

  • Ingrid Strusberg

    (Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba 5000, Argentina)

  • Susana Vanoni

    (Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba 5000, Argentina)

Abstract

Urban growth has intensified the generation of solid waste, particularly in densely populated and vulnerable neighborhoods, leading to environmental degradation and public health risks. This study presents a multidisciplinary methodology to estimate the mass of macroplastic litter mobilized from urban surfaces into nearby watercourses during storm events. Focusing on the Villa Páez neighborhood in Cordoba, Argentina—a data-scarce and flood-prone urban basin—the approach integrates socio-environmental surveys, field observations, Google Street View analysis, and hydrologic modeling using EPA SWMM 5.2. Macroplastic accumulation on streets was estimated based on observed waste density, and its transport under varying garbage collection intervals and rainfall intensities was simulated using a conceptual pollutant model. Results indicate that plastic mobilization increases substantially with storm intensity and accumulation duration, with the majority of macroplastic mass transported during high-return-period rainfall events. The study highlights the need for frequent waste collection, improved monitoring in vulnerable urban areas, and scenario-based modeling tools to support more effective waste and stormwater management.

Suggested Citation

  • María Fernanda Funes & Teresa María Reyna & Carlos Marcelo García & María Lábaque & Sebastián López & Ingrid Strusberg & Susana Vanoni, 2025. "Estimating Macroplastic Mass Transport from Urban Runoff in a Data-Scarce Watershed: A Case Study from Cordoba, Argentina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6177-:d:1695395
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6177/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6177/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Laurent Lebreton & Anthony Andrady, 2019. "Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ana B. Cuevas & David E. Leiva-Candia & M. P. Dorado, 2024. "An Overview of Pyrolysis as Waste Treatment to Produce Eco-Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-32, June.
    2. Changping Zhao & Juanjuan Sun & Yun Zhang, 2022. "A Study of the Drivers of Decarbonization in the Plastics Supply Chain in the Post-COVID-19 Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Kawther Saeedi & Anna Visvizi & Dimah Alahmadi & Amal Babour, 2023. "Smart Cities and Households’ Recyclable Waste Management: The Case of Jeddah," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-23, April.
    4. Stoett, Peter & Scrich, Vitória M. & Elliff, Carla I. & Andrade, Mariana M. & de M. Grilli, Natalia & Turra, Alexander, 2024. "Global plastic pollution, sustainable development, and plastic justice," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    5. Rafael Estevez & Laura Aguado-Deblas & Francisco J. López-Tenllado & Felipa M. Bautista & Antonio A. Romero & Diego Luna, 2024. "Study on the Performance and Emissions of Triple Blends of Diesel/Waste Plastic Oil/Vegetable Oil in a Diesel Engine: Advancing Eco-Friendly Solutions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    6. Cordier, Mateo & Uehara, Takuro & Baztan, Juan & Jorgensen, Bethany & Yan, Huijie, 2021. "Plastic pollution and economic growth: The influence of corruption and lack of education," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    7. Amna Farrukh & Aymen Sajjad, 2024. "Investigating sustainability tensions and resolution strategies in the plastic food packaging industry—A paradox theory approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2868-2889, May.
    8. World Bank, 2024. "Unlocking Financing to Combat the Plastics Crisis - Opportunities, Risks, and Recommendations for Plastic Credits," World Bank Publications - Reports 41866, The World Bank Group.
    9. Huijie Yan & Mateo Cordier & Takuro Uehara, 2024. "Future Projections of Global Plastic Pollution: Scenario Analyses and Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Evangelos Danopoulos & Maureen Twiddy & Jeanette M Rotchell, 2020. "Microplastic contamination of drinking water: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(7), pages 1-23, July.
    11. Jiang, Yuchen & Li, Xianglin & Li, Chao & Zhang, Lijun & Zhang, Shu & Li, Bin & Wang, Shuang & Hu, Xun, 2022. "Pyrolysis of typical plastics and coupled with steam reforming of their derived volatiles for simultaneous production of hydrogen-rich gases and heavy organics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 476-491.
    12. R. R. M. K. P. Ranatunga & Dilhara Wijetunge & W. V. P. H. Ranaweera & Chin-Chang Hung & Shang-Yin Vanson Liu & Qamar Schuyler & T. J. Lawson & Britta Denise Hardesty, 2023. "Ranking Sri Lanka among the World’s Top Mismanaged Waste Polluters: Does Model Data Change the Story?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-12, February.
    13. Berkowicz-Płatek, Gabriela & Żukowski, Witold & Wrona, Jan & Wencel, Kinga, 2024. "Thermal decomposition of polyolefins under different oxygen content. Composition of products and thermal effects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    14. Nakayama, Tadanobu & Osako, Masahiro, 2023. "Development of a process-based eco-hydrology model for evaluating the spatio-temporal dynamics of macro- and micro-plastics for the whole of Japan," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 476(C).
    15. Khumbelo Mabadahanye & Mwazvita T. B. Dalu & Linton F. Munyai & Farai Dondofema & Tatenda Dalu, 2025. "Perceptions and Knowledge of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Workers Regarding Plastic Pollution and Removal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-13, January.
    16. Cristina Aracil & Ángel L. Villanueva Perales & Jacopo Giuntoli & Jorge Cristóbal & Pedro Haro, 2023. "The Role of Renewable-Derived Plastics in the Analysis of Waste Management Schemes: A Time-Dependent Carbon Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, June.
    17. Jan Cudzik & Klaudia Kropisz, 2024. "Assessment of Utilizing Hard-to-Recycle Plastic Waste from the Packaging Sector in Architectural Design—Case Study for Experimental Building Material," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-17, July.
    18. Rumana Hossain & Md Tasbirul Islam & Riya Shanker & Debishree Khan & Katherine Elizabeth Sarah Locock & Anirban Ghose & Heinz Schandl & Rita Dhodapkar & Veena Sahajwalla, 2022. "Plastic Waste Management in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadmap for Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-34, April.
    19. Xuemeng Zhang & Chao Liu & Yuexi Chen & Guanghong Zheng & Yinguang Chen, 2022. "Source separation, transportation, pretreatment, and valorization of municipal solid waste: a critical review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(10), pages 11471-11513, October.
    20. Isabella Gambino & Francesco Bagordo & Tiziana Grassi & Alessandra Panico & Antonella De Donno, 2022. "Occurrence of Microplastics in Tap and Bottled Water: Current Knowledge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6177-:d:1695395. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.