Data for Buoyancy-dependent sorting of microplastics in a numerical wave-flume with a sloping beach

Summary

Scientists used a computer model of ocean waves hitting a sloping beach to track how tiny plastic particles move based on whether they float, sink, or hover in the water. They found that a microplastic's buoyancy (its tendency to float or sink) strongly affects where it ends up—whether washed ashore or pulled back out to sea. This matters because it helps researchers predict where microplastic pollution accumulates, which is a key step in understanding our exposure to these particles through seafood, drinking water, and beach environments.