In cooperation with the scientists from the Institute of Hydro-engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, in April and May this year, scientist from the Department of Hydrology and Hydrodynamics, Dr. Łukasz Przyborowski and Dr. Anna Maria Łoboda conducted a pilot studies in the Hydraulic Laboratory of the IBW PAS, entitled "Experiments on macroplastic storage in rivers with spur dikes". Our employees, interested in the possibilities of the laboratory, together with the employees from IBW PAS made a series of measurements in the open channel. The aim of this study was to determine how macroplastic particles behave under flow conditions through a zone with spurs with and without the presence of river vegetation.

Additional elements in the form of spur extension and plant stands were built for the task. The measurements were carried out thanks to the agreement on research cooperation signed last year between the Institute of Geophysics PAS and the Institute of Hydro-engineering PAS, and will serve as a pilot study for the planned project for the National Science Center call, in a consortium between the two research facilities. The performed measurements and their future continuation promise unique results, which will contribute to a better understanding of the transport of solid waste in rivers and thus, their monitoring and removal.