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Modelling by the team at UBC Okanagan in Canada suggests an increasing amount of microplastics, including fragments from tyres and roadways, are ending up in lakes and streams.
The researchers developed a conceptual framework to examine the potential contamination from vehicles driving on the road. Their findings suggested that more than 50 tonnes of tyre and road wear particles are released into waterways annually in an area like the Okanagan, which covers 20,000km2. Globally, they said that equates to almost 6m tonnes.
“The results are quite significant,” said lead study author Dr Haroon Mian. “It’s especially alarming considering that this microscopic waste can contaminate our freshwater sources.”
About 1.5bn tyres are produced annually, the researchers said. Both synthetic rubber and vulcanized natural rubber are considered forms of elastomeric polymers, contributing to microplastic pollution.
It is not just the rubber that causes contamination, said Dr Mian. “Over time, all of those materials begin to break down and can release chemical additives that affect aquatic species.”
While some of the materials end up in the atmosphere, the majority of the tyre and road wear particles are spread across roadways and eventually end up in aquatic environments.
“This analysis focused on a small section of highway in the British Columbia interior, but the findings suggest that other regions across Canada may experience the same challenges with this type of contamination,” said Dr Mian. “A more uniform and comprehensive management and treatment strategy must be developed to limit the possible environmental ramifications.”
As part of the research, Dr Mian also estimated tyre and road wear emissions by considering various real-time factors, such as tyre and roadway degradation in the environment and seasonal variations.
The report recommended implementing tyre wear labels, standardisation policies and tyre pressure monitoring systems.
The work appeared in Science of the Total Environment.
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