Quantifying pathways of tyre wear into the environment
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Zheng, Chunyi
Mehlig, Daniel
Oxley, Tim
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This study provides the first national-scale spatial analysis of tyre wear particle (TWP) pathways in the UK, employing a mass flux particle pathway framework integrated with the UK Integrated Assessment Model at 1 km2 resolution. Results show 79.5 kt of TWPs are released annually, with between 1.3 kt to 6.7 kt enter the atmosphere, 23.0 kt to 34.0 kt reaching surface waters,18.5 kt to 30.2 kt depositing in soils, and 16.7 kt to 29.2 kt removed via management systems. Sensitivity analysis reveals notable uncertainties in these estimates. A significant rural-urban transfer mechanism redistributes 6.3 kt to 13.1 kt of urban-derived TWPs to agricultural soils through sewage sludge application. Atmospheric emissions are concentrated around major roads and urban centres, while soil and water pathways exhibit complex distributions driven by infrastructure systems. This study highlights the potential for improved spatial modelling of the pathways of tyre wear into the environment.
Date Issued
2025-11-15
Date Acceptance
2025-07-02
Citation
Environmental Research, 2025, 285 (Part 1)
ISSN
0013-9351
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Environmental Research
Volume
285
Issue
Part 1
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
10.1016/j.envres.2025.122288
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
122288
Date Publish Online
2025-07-03