Microplastics accumulated in swales, 2023

The presence of microplastics (mainly in the form of tyre wear particles) differs between different roads, e.g. depending on traffic load and speed.

In this project, we will take samples of sediments from roadside swales at different types of roads, such as residential streets, urban and rural roads and motorways to see where in the swales the microplastics are deposited. The samples will be analysed for microplastics with focus on tyre wear particles. The occurrence and distribution under different conditions will be evaluated and can be compared with existing data on the amount of tyre particles emitted annually.

The project has a budget of 1 100 000 SEK and is funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

Heléne Österlund, Godecke-Tobias Blecken och Maria Viklander