Microplastic pollution linger in rivers for years before entering oceans

Because rivers are in near-constant motion, researchers previously assumed lightweight microplastics quickly flowed through rivers, rarely interacting with riverbed sediments. With new simulations, researchers now have discovered hyporheic exchange -- a process in which surface water mixes with water in the riverbed -- can trap lightweight microplastics that otherwise might be expected to float.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3KcfOLA