We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Investigating the influence of sub-mesoscale current structures on Baltic Sea connectivity through a Lagrangian analysis
Summary
Not relevant to microplastics — this oceanographic study uses Lagrangian particle tracking to model how sub-mesoscale currents affect water connectivity in the Baltic Sea, finding that the basin's long residence time (~790 days) makes it prone to pollutant accumulation, but does not study microplastics directly.
This study explores the impact of sub-mesoscale structures and vertical advection on the connectivity properties of the Baltic Sea using a Lagrangian approach. High-resolution flow fields from the General Estuarine Transport Model (GETM) were employed to compute Lagrangian trajectories, focusing on the influence of fine-scale structures on connectivity estimates. Six river mouths in the Baltic Sea served as initial positions for numerical particles, and trajectories were generated using flow fields with varying horizontal resolutions: 3D trajectories with 250m resolution as well as 2D trajectories with 250m and 1km resolutions. Several Lagrangian indices, such as mean transit time, arrival depths, and probability density functions of transit times, were analyzed to unravel the complex circulation of the Baltic Sea and highlight the substantial impact of sub-mesoscale structures on numerical trajectories. Results indicate that in 2D simulations, particles exhibit faster movement on the eastern side of the Gotland Basin in high-resolution compared to coarse-resolution simulations. This difference is attributed to the stronger coastal current in high-resolution compared to coarse-resolution simulations. Additionally, the study investigates the influence of vertical advection on numerical particle motion within the Baltic Sea, considering the difference between 3D and 2D trajectories. Findings reveal that denser water in the eastern and south-eastern areas significantly affects particle dispersion in 3D simulations, resulting in increased transit times. Conversely, regions in the North-western part of the basin accelerate particle movement in 3D compared to the 2D simulations. Finally, we calculated the average residence time of numerical particles exiting the Baltic Sea through the Danish strait. Results show an average surface layer residence time of approximately 790 days over an eight-year integration period, highlighting the relatively slow water circulation in the semi-enclosed Baltic Sea basin. This prolonged residence time emphasizes the potential for the accumulation of pollutants. Overall, the study underscores the pivotal role of fine-scale structures in shaping the connectivity of the Baltic Sea, with implications for understanding and managing environmental challenges in this unique marine ecosystem.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Modeling drift and fate of microplastics in the Baltic Sea
Researchers developed a hydrodynamic model to track the drift and accumulation of microplastics in the Baltic Sea, linking coastal emission sources to offshore accumulation zones and identifying key oceanographic processes that govern the fate of land-derived plastic pollution.
Mapping microplastic pathways and accumulation zones in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea – insights from modeling
A hydrodynamic-particle tracking model of the Gulf of Finland found that rivers contribute 76% of microplastic inputs while wastewater treatment plants account for 24%, with most plastics accumulating within the gulf rather than drifting to the broader Baltic Sea.
Lagrangian tracking of river microplastics in the Mediterranean Basin
Researchers applied a Mediterranean river microplastic source scenario to Lagrangian dispersion simulations using high-resolution 3D current fields from the SYMPHONIE hydrodynamic model, tracking river MP inputs through the semi-enclosed Mediterranean Basin to quantify sources, transfers, and accumulation hotspots.
Modeling the transport and accumulation of microplastics in the Gulf of Finland
Researchers used numerical simulations to model how microplastics are transported and accumulate across the Gulf of Finland in the eastern Baltic Sea. The model accounted for diffusion, beaching, resuspension, and biofouling, and found that microplastic accumulation patterns depend strongly on particle buoyancy. The results identify hotspots of microplastic accumulation in this semi-enclosed sea and can inform targeted cleanup efforts.
Model uncertainties of a storm and their influence on microplastics / sediment transport in the Baltic Sea
Researchers used ocean circulation modeling to simulate how microplastics and sediment are transported in the Baltic Sea during storm events, identifying uncertainty in the models as a key challenge. Despite this, the approach helps predict where microplastics accumulate on the seafloor, which is otherwise expensive to measure directly.