We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Full Rotational Dynamics of Plastic Microfibers in Turbulence
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted experiments on the rotational dynamics of elongated plastic microfibers in turbulent conditions. The study provides new data on how these microplastic fibers spin and tumble in turbulence, which is important for understanding the motion, settling, and dispersion patterns of microplastics in ocean environments.
The motion, settling, and dispersion of microplastics in the ocean are determined by their rotational dynamics. We present experiments on elongated, large aspect ratio, and mildly curved plastic fibers slightly longer than the Kolmogorov length scale. Exploiting their uniquely identifiable three-dimensional orientation, we perform original optical Lagrangian investigations and provide a set of homogeneous data on their rotation rates around their longitudinal axis: spinning rate, and transversal axes: tumbling rates, which we explain in the context of the general features of turbulence.
More Papers Like This
Full rotational dynamics of plastic microfibers in turbulence
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted Lagrangian experiments on elongated, large aspect-ratio curved plastic microfibers near the Kolmogorov length scale in turbulence, tracking their three-dimensional orientation optically to characterize rotational dynamics and settling behavior that govern microplastic transport and dispersion in the ocean.
Lagrangian Time Scale of Passive Rotation for Mesoscale Particles in Turbulence
AI summary Read the abstract
This laboratory study measured the rotation timescales of inertial rod-shaped particles in turbulent water, providing fundamental physical data on how non-spherical objects like microplastic fibers tumble in turbulent ocean environments. These timescales are important for understanding how microplastics move and mix in the sea.
Laboratory model for plastic fragmentation in the turbulent ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to study how deformable and brittle fibers fragment in turbulent flow, finding that fragmentation is limited at small scales by a physical cut-off length determined by fluid-structure interactions, with implications for understanding microplastic generation in the ocean.
Turbulence-informed kinetic theory of inertial-range fibre fragmentation
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists developed a new model to predict how tiny plastic fibers (like those from synthetic clothing) break apart in ocean water due to turbulent currents and waves. The model successfully explains why environmental studies consistently find certain sizes of plastic microfibers in the ocean. This research helps us better understand how plastic pollution spreads in marine environments, which is important since these microfibers can enter the food chain and potentially affect human health.
Measuring the Rotation of Polluting Plastic Particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a method for measuring the rotational behavior of plastic particles in marine environments, providing new observational tools for understanding how particle orientation and rotation affect the fate and transport of ocean-polluting plastic debris.
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.