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Vertical transport of microplastics by rising bubbles
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This study used Lattice-Boltzmann Volume-of-Fluid simulations to investigate how rising bubbles transport microplastic particles vertically through seawater toward the sea surface through a process called bubble scavenging. Results confirmed that rising bubbles generate net upward particle transport, but the efficiency depends strongly on particle surface properties—clean, hydrophobic microplastics adhered much more effectively to bubble surfaces and were transported significantly more efficiently than weathered, hydrophilic particles.
Abstract Microplastic particle concentration on the sea surface is critical for quantifying microplastic transport across the water-air interface. Previous studies indeed suggest that the concentration at the sea surface is enhanced compared to bulk concentration, yet little is known about the detailed mechanisms behind this enhancement. In this work, we study one particular process that may contribute to this enhanced surface concentration: bubble scavenging. Using Lattice-Boltzmann Volume-of-Fluid simulations we find that rising bubbles indeed generate a net flow of particles toward the surface. The efficiency of the process, however, highly depends on the microplastic particle surface properties. Clean, hydrophobic particles adhere much better to the bubble surface and are therefore transported significantly better than weathered, hydrophilic particles that are only entrained in the flow around a bubble.
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