We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A high-performance ray tracing particle tracking model for the simulation of microplastics in inland and coastal aquatic environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a high-performance computational model that uses ray-tracing algorithms to simulate the movement of microplastics through complex three-dimensional water bodies, running over 17 times faster than conventional approaches while maintaining accuracy. Better predictive models for plastic particle transport help scientists and regulators identify where microplastics accumulate in rivers, fjords, and coastal zones — information needed to prioritize monitoring and cleanup efforts.
In this study, we present a high-performance Particle Tracking Model (PTM) designed for simulating any type of particles, with a focus on microplastics. The PTM is efficient compared to existing models, parallelized, and utilizes a ray tracing algorithm incorporating both ray reflection and ray refraction in order to traverse particles as well as find the location of each particle over three-dimensional unstructured grids. Various numerical corrections are implemented in the model to address computational round-off errors and discontinuities in the water surface level of the input hydrodynamic models. To increase the accuracy of the model, partially reflective boundary conditions are imposed as well as the capability to simulate microplastics beaching and washout in very shallow areas or dry computational cells. Several tests are conducted to study the performance, scalability, and accuracy of the model. The proposed model is tested with over 3.88 billion double-precision particles on three-dimensional computational grids with up to approximately one million cells. The tests show that the ray tracing approach is efficient, achieves over 17× faster runtime, and offers greater accuracy compared to using an auxiliary grid for particle location finding. For larger timesteps, the ray tracing PTM with refraction shows improved accuracy compared to the ray tracing PTM without refraction. The model's capabilities are tested in a real-world case study over the Saguenay Fjord, Quebec, Canada. The model is utilized to reproduce the paths of five surface drifters. A second numerical test is conducted in the Fjord and high particle concentration areas are identified.
More Papers Like This
Exploring the Sensitivity of Microplastic Accumulation Zones in Rivers Using High-Performance Particle Transport Modelling
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers applied high-performance particle transport modelling to explore the sensitivity of microplastic accumulation zones in rivers, identifying key hydrodynamic factors that govern where microplastics concentrate. The modelling approach provides a tool for predicting hotspot areas of microplastic deposition in fluvial environments.
A numerical framework for modeling fate and transport of microplastics in inland and coastal waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a new three-dimensional numerical framework called CaMPSim-3D for predicting microplastic fate and transport in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. The model couples Lagrangian particle tracking with hydrodynamic modeling to help identify pollution sources and accumulation hotspots, providing a tool for informed decision-making on microplastic prevention and cleanup.
Dispersal and transport of microplastic particles under different flow conditions in riverine ecosystem
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a particle-tracking model combined with hydrodynamic simulation to study how microplastics travel through river systems under different water flow conditions. They found that flow speed, turbulence, and river channel features significantly influence where microplastics accumulate and how far they travel. The study provides a useful tool for predicting microplastic transport patterns and identifying pollution hotspots in river ecosystems.
Quantifying the influence of size, shape, and density of microplastics on their transport modes: A modeling approach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a computer model that predicts how microplastics of different sizes, shapes, and densities move through ocean water. The model accurately simulates whether particles float on the surface, stay suspended in the water column, or settle to the bottom. Understanding how microplastics travel through marine environments is important for predicting where contamination accumulates and which seafood sources are most likely to be affected.
Numerical Simulation of Microplastics Transport in Saguenay Fjord Using Ray Tracing Particle Tracking Model
AI summary Read the abstract
This study applied a ray-tracing particle tracking model to numerically simulate how microplastics of varying sizes and densities are transported through Saguenay Fjord, a deep stratified fjord system in Quebec. Accurate transport simulations are essential for predicting where microplastics accumulate in aquatic food webs and ultimately reach the fish and seafood that humans consume.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.