Experimental investigation on the nearshore transport of buoyant microplastic particles

Larsen, B.; Al-Obaidi, Mustafa Ali Abdullah; Güler, Hasan Gökhan; Carstensen, Stefan; Göral, Koray Deniz; Christensen, Erik Damgaard; Kerpen, Nils B.; Schlurmann, Torsten; Fuhrman, David R.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114610

Cited by 16 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The beach slope significantly influences how waves interact with microplastics, affecting their dispersion and accumulation [29]. This interaction can be categorized into three primary wave breaker types-spilling, plunging, and surging-each associated with different levels of nonlinearity due to varying slopes [30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CFD Analysis of Microplastic Transport over the Slopes

Quyen,

Park,

Lee

et al. 2024

JMSE

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Microplastics, ubiquitous in our environment, are significantly impacted by the hydrodynamic conditions around them. This study utilizes CFD to explore how various breaker types influence the dispersion and accumulation of microplastics in nearshore areas. A special focus is given to the impact of wave dynamics and particle size, particularly on buoyant microplastics in spilling breakers. It was discovered that spilling breakers, common on gently sloping seabeds, encourage broad dispersion of microplastics, notably for smaller-sized particles. Plunging breakers exhibit a similar pattern but with less dispersion and an initial forward movement of neutral and heavy particles. Surging breakers feature minimal dispersion and a distinct oscillatory motion. It has been observed that medium-sized particles with a 1 mm diameter in this work exhibit the most substantial forward movement, likely due to an optimal balance between inertia and viscosity, enabling an effective response to wave momentum. Larger particles, influenced mainly by inertia, tend to show less dispersion and advection. Meanwhile, smaller particles, more affected by viscosity, demonstrate greater dispersion, interacting extensively with wave-induced turbulence. This study reveals the significance of inertia in the behavior of microplastics over slopes, emphasizing the importance of considering inertial effects for precise modeling of microplastic movement in nearshore areas.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CFD Analysis of Microplastic Transport over the Slopes

Quyen,

Park,

Lee

et al. 2024

JMSE

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“…Núñez, Romano, García-Alba, Besio, and Medina (2023) investigated the fate of particles whether originating on or offshore for many plastic types and shapes, and across various wave conditions; they found particles more dense than water to accumulate in the wave breaking region and particle less dense to accumulate close to shore. Larsen et al. (2023) measured the time it took for microplastic particles to beach given various starting conditions and empirically modelled the particle transport.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beaching model for buoyant marine debris in bore-driven swash

Davidson,

Brenner,

Pujara

2023

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Marine debris pollution is a growing problem impacting aquatic ecosystems, coastal recreation and human society. Beaches are known to be a sink for debris, and beaching needs to be accounted for in marine debris mass balances, but the process of buoyant debris beaching is not yet sufficiently well understood in order for it to be included in coastal models. We develop a simplified model for buoyant marine debris transport in bore-driven swash (where swash refers to the area that the water wets the beach with each incoming wave). We validate the model with laboratory experiments and use the combined results from the model and experiments to understand the parameters that are important for dictating particle beaching. The most relevant parameters are the particle inertia and the initial conditions with which debris particles enter the swash zone.

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“…Given that empirical data are scarce, understanding how plastic is distributed in the oceans relies primarily on numerical simulations [12]. There is limited understanding of the complex movements that are required to formulate effective management strategies, especially in coastal regions [13]. Numerical modeling helps to elucidate the "why", "where", and "how" of plastic entry into aquatic systems, enabling better comprehension of its impact on aquatic environments and biodiversity [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative Study of the Transport of Microplastics in the Río de la Plata Estuary, Argentina, through Numerical Simulation

Elisei Schicchi,

Moreira,

Eisenberg

et al. 2023

JMSE

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Information about the sources, sinks, dynamics, and how environmental variables affect the transport of microplastics (MPs) from continental deposits to marine systems is still limited. Most of the knowledge about the distribution of plastic in the oceans comes from the use of numerical models to understand the routes of MPs moving in aquatic systems. The Río de la Plata (RdP) is an estuary located on the eastern coast of South America and is one of the most anthropized watercourses in the region. In this study, the trajectory of MPs in the RdP was examined through the implementation, for the first time for the region, of numerical simulation models. The impact of the estuary’s hydrodynamic characteristics, winds, and MP morphological properties on their trajectory was investigated. The simulations produced demonstrated a high correlation between the hydrodynamics of the Río de la Plata and the trajectory of positively buoyant MPs. The wind was identified as a significant driving force in the simulation of MP motion dynamics. Modifications in the size of the MPs have more influence on the trajectory than their morphology. The results constitute an initial step toward understanding the dynamics of these emerging pollutants in one of South America’s most important basins.

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Experimental investigation on the nearshore transport of buoyant microplastic particles

Cited by 16 publications

References 31 publications

CFD Analysis of Microplastic Transport over the Slopes

CFD Analysis of Microplastic Transport over the Slopes

Beaching model for buoyant marine debris in bore-driven swash

Qualitative Study of the Transport of Microplastics in the Río de la Plata Estuary, Argentina, through Numerical Simulation

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