Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

What Influences Microplastic Distribution in the Marine Environment? A Study Highlighting the Role of Fronts and Submesoscale Processes in the North Sea

2025 Score: 38 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Jens Meyerjürgens, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Jens Meyerjürgens, Jens Meyerjürgens, Jens Meyerjürgens, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Jens Meyerjürgens, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Isabel Goßmann, Isabel Goßmann, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Michelle Albinus, Michelle Albinus, Michelle Albinus, Andreas Held, Michelle Albinus, Michelle Albinus, Michelle Albinus, Oliver Wurl, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Andreas Held, Andreas Held, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Andreas Held, Andreas Held, Andreas Held, Andreas Held, Cora Achtner, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Cora Achtner, Cora Achtner, Cora Achtner, Cora Achtner, Cora Achtner, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Andreas Held, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Oliver Wurl, Brandy-Tiera Robinson, Brandy-Tiera Robinson, Brandy-Tiera Robinson, Andreas Held, Andreas Held, Andreas Held, Brandy-Tiera Robinson, Brandy-Tiera Robinson, Brandy-Tiera Robinson, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Andreas Held, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Andreas Held, Andreas Held, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Thomas H. Badewien, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Carola Lehners, Carola Lehners, Carola Lehners, Oliver Wurl, Oliver Wurl, Lisa Gassen-Bertzbach, Andreas Held, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Lisa Gassen-Bertzbach, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Samuel Mintah Ayim, Andreas Held, Oliver Wurl, Andreas Held, Thomas H. Badewien, Samuel Mintah Ayim, Samuel Mintah Ayim, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Oliver Wurl, Thomas H. Badewien, Thomas H. Badewien, Thomas H. Badewien, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Oliver Wurl, Oliver Wurl, Oliver Wurl, Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher Barbara M. Scholz‐Böttcher

Summary

Researchers combined in-situ microplastic sampling with oceanographic measurements in the North Sea to demonstrate that submesoscale processes, density fronts, and filaments play a critical role in MP transport and aggregation, creating convergence zones that serve as hotspots for microplastic accumulation.

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive contaminants, yet understanding their pathways and fate in the marine environment remains unclear. A key challenge is the lack of in-situ, complementary measurements linking MP quantification with oceanographic parameters, particularly concerning submesoscale processes and density fronts. Submesoscale dynamics, including filaments, eddies, and fronts, significantly influence the transport and accumulation of MPs by creating convergence zones and sharp density gradients. Density fronts serve as critical hotspots for MP aggregation, concentrating particles through upwelling and downwelling processes. Despite their importance, these interactions remain poorly studied, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to directly measure the interplay between MPs and the physical processes that drive their distribution.This study addresses this gap by utilizing in-situ measurements collected with an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) in the southern North Sea, simultaneously collecting water samples for MP analysis and key oceanographic data. The ASV simultaneously sampled air, sea surface microlayer, and underlying water for MP analysis. A weather station and conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) sensors were deployed on the ASV to further contextualize the distribution of MPs. Additionally, CTD profiles were obtained by an accompanying research vessel to investigate the influence of stratification and temporal dynamics on MP distribution. An acoustic Doppler current profiler measured water current velocities and flow direction.The measurements underscore the pivotal role of submesoscale fronts and filaments in shaping the accumulation and distribution of MP. Upwelling and downwelling processes at these fronts and filaments concentrated MP up to 30.48 &#181;g MP L&#8315;&#185;, and distributed MPs vertically across depth profiles and horizontally across fronts. Wind direction was found to influence the presence of MP in the atmosphere, while wind speeds appeared to enhance heterogeneity in MP composition and concentration within the water.Submesoscale fronts and filaments are highlighted as key zones for MP accumulation, driven by the interplay of horizontal and vertical water flow linked to ageostrophic circulation. The data provide novel insights into their transport mechanisms in the marine environment.

Read via DOI Download PDF

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email