Experimental Analysis of Structures for Trapping SARS-CoV-2-Related Floating Waste in Rivers

Experimental Analysis of Structures for Trapping SARS-CoV-2-Related Floating Waste in Rivers

Simone Pagliara, Deep Roy, Michele Palermo

Personal protection equipment (PPE, e.g., masks and gloves) related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic may represent a significant source of riverine plastic pollution. Several studies were conducted to analyze plastic transport in rivers; however, apparently, none of them systematically investigated the efficiency of countermeasures in trapping/stopping floating plastic and nonwoven fabric materials originating from the abovementioned PPE. To fill this gap of knowledge and considering the current importance of the topic, the present paper aims at investigating the efficiency of several structure configurations that can be located in both natural and artificial water bodies. To this end, two different efficiencies were defined, i.e., kinematic (for isolated structures) and trapping (for structures in series). Experimental results evidenced that both the kinematic and the trapping efficiencies increase with the Froude number. We also developed empirical equations, which may be applied for predicting the structure efficiency in limiting plastic transport in rivers.

2021

SARS-CoV-2, Hydrodynamics, Physical model, plastic transport

10.3390/w13060771

Epidemiology and Health

Korean Society of Epidemiology

Hydraulic engineering, Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes