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Full rotational dynamics of plastic microfibers in turbulence
Summary
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.
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.