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A probabilistic Lagrangian numerical model to assess the impact of floating marine litter on Barcelona city beaches
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Researchers developed a probabilistic Lagrangian numerical model using the Monte Carlo method to assess the impact of floating marine litter on Barcelona beaches, combining observational data from four terrestrial debris sources with the LOCATE coastal transport model. They found that wave height, proximity to debris sources, and coastline orientation were the primary drivers of beaching intensity along the Barcelona coastline.
Coastal zones are considered one of the main reservoirs for floating marine litter (FLM) although the transport mechanisms in these regions are still not fully understood (van Sebille, et al., 2020). The waters around Barcelona display some of the highest plastic beaching fluxes in the Mediterranean Sea and FLM concentrations are of the same magnitude as those found in subtropical gyres. A case study on the Barcelona coastline using observational data of local river debris output and a Lagrangian numerical model specifically adapted for use in coastal areas (LOCATE) revealed extremely high values of beaching. Further statistical analysis revealed that significant wave height, proximity to the source and orientation of the coastline were determining influences on the levels of particle beaching. To further investigate the impact of FLM reaching the Barcelona coastline a probabilistic model was developed using the Monte Carlo method, from four known sources of terrestrial debris output over one year (1/10/2020 - 30/9/2021) with a scenario simulation time of 7 days, incorporating 2,400 scenarios per outflow source. Floating microplastics in Barcelona beaches for the same period were collected actively by citizen scientists using a lightweight manta trawl and used to determine the most likely source of FLM. Preliminary coastline particle density results also showed proximity to the source as a main factor for the presence of FLM and particle beaching. There was also seasonal variability in beaching levels and geographical spread, especially to areas south of Barcelona given the predominant NE current. Beaching likelihood values established in Hernandez et al, 2024b were also calculated for all the city beaches from each source providing a useful measure for litter cleanup management. Funding: This work has been funded by the project TRACE (TED2021-130515B-I00) (MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/ 501100011033 and EU "NextGenerationEU"/PRTR) Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559368/document
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A probabilistic Lagrangian numerical model to assess the impact of floating marine litter on Barcelona city beaches
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