We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Numerical simulation research of the transportation and distribution characteristics on sea surface of the microplastic released continuously for 12 years from China's coastal cities
Summary
Using ocean current modeling, this study simulated where microplastics released from Chinese coastal cities over 12 years actually end up. The majority (80%) wash back ashore or remain in nearby marginal seas, about 18% are carried into the Pacific via the Kuroshio Current, and a small fraction reaches Southeast Asia. The results show that proximity to source matters enormously for coastal microplastic accumulation and that China's coastal emissions create a regional, rather than purely global, pollution signature.
Based on the Lagrangian random walk particle tracking method and the global ocean reanalysis data, this study simulated the drift-diffusion process in ocean of microplastic particles (density less than seawater) discharged by coastal cities in China for 12 consecutive years. The results reveal that most of the microplastics (80.33%) essentially end up ashore or in the marginal seas around China, a small portion of microplastics (18.22%) enter the Sea of Japan and the Northwest Pacific Ocean via the Tsushima Strait and the Osumi-Kaikyo with the Kuroshio Tide, a very small portion of microplastics (1.45%) enter into the waters of Southeast Asian countries along with the west boundary current of South China Sea. The concentration distribution characteristics have obvious seasonal variation in the high concentration areas (the marginal seas around China and Sea of Japan). The mainly destination area of microplastics released in different cities is different.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Simulation of seasonal transport of microplastics and influencing factors in the China Seas based on the ROMS model
Researchers used ocean circulation modeling to simulate how microplastics are transported across the China Seas during different seasons. The study found that microplastic pathways and distributions vary markedly with seasonal circulation patterns, with the longest transport distances occurring in summer when particles from the Pearl River could travel over 1,375 kilometers, while in autumn and winter more than three-quarters of microplastics beached along the south-central Chinese coast.
Sources and distribution of microplastics in the east China sea under a three-dimensional numerical modelling
Researchers used three-dimensional numerical modeling to investigate the sources and distribution of microplastics in the East China Sea, finding that riverine inputs from major Chinese rivers are the dominant source and that ocean currents drive accumulation patterns near the Zhoushan fishing ground.
Simulation of seasonal transport of microplastics and influencing factors inthe China Seas based on the ROMS model
Researchers used the Regional Ocean Modeling System combined with the LTRANS Lagrangian transport model to simulate seasonal microplastic transport throughout the China Seas, finding that circulation patterns, river discharge, and particle properties drive marked seasonal variations in microplastic pathways and spatial distribution.
Efficient Atmospheric Transport of Microplastics over Asia and Adjacent Oceans
Researchers developed an atmospheric transport model for microplastics over Asia, estimating annual emissions of 310 gigagrams and finding that atmospheric transport efficiently carries microplastics from land sources to remote ocean regions across the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Destination of floating plastic debris released from ten major rivers around the Korean Peninsula
Researchers used a Lagrangian particle tracking model to simulate the transport and coastal accumulation of plastic debris released from ten major Chinese and Korean rivers around the Korean Peninsula, finding that debris generally strands near the originating river mouth and that model predictions were consistent with observational data.