We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Inventory and transport of plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers modeled plastic debris transport in the Laurentian Great Lakes using hydrodynamic current data and population-based input estimates, calculating that approximately 9,887 metric tons of plastic enter the lakes annually, with surface microplastic mass concentrated in Lakes Erie and Huron based on sampling-calibrated simulations.
Plastic pollution in the world's oceans has received much attention, but there has been increasing concern about the high concentrations of plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Using census data and methodologies used to study ocean debris we derive a first estimate of 9887 metric tonnes per year of plastic debris entering the Great Lakes. These estimates are translated into population-dependent particle inputs which are advected using currents from a hydrodynamic model to map the spatial distribution of plastic debris in the Great Lakes. Model results compare favorably with previously published sampling data. The samples are used to calibrate the model to derive surface microplastic mass estimates of 0.0211 metric tonnes in Lake Superior, 1.44 metric tonnes in Huron, and 4.41 metric tonnes in Erie. These results have many applications, including informing cleanup efforts, helping target pollution prevention, and understanding the inter-state or international flows of plastic pollution.
More Papers Like This
Distribution and Modeled Transport of Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes, the World's Largest Freshwater Resource
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted field surveys of plastic pollution across the Great Lakes and associated rivers, combining surface trawl measurements with hydrodynamic transport modelling to characterise concentrations, fluxes, and pathways of plastic litter from freshwater to the ocean.
Modeling the three-dimensional transport and distribution of multiple microplastic polymer types in Lake Erie
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used a three-dimensional Lagrangian transport model to simulate the movement and deposition of nine polymer types in Lake Erie, accounting for advection, density-driven sinking, and turbulent mixing, and calibrated the model against surface samples to estimate total plastic mass in the lake.
Plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes: Classification, distribution and environmental drivers
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper classifies and reviews plastic debris pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes, documenting contamination across open water, shoreline, and bottom sediment environments and discussing the long-term ecological and economic consequences. The review calls for coordinated plans to reduce plastic pollution entering this massive freshwater system.
Plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes System, North America: Analysis of types, abundances, and sources
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first systematic analysis of all sizes and types of plastic debris across all five of the Laurentian Great Lakes. They found that plastic pollution is widespread, with urban areas, shoreline recreation, and nearby industries as the primary sources.
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers documented microplastic pollution across the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes, finding contamination in all lakes sampled — particularly Lake Erie — with fibers as the dominant particle type, highlighting plastic pollution in a critical freshwater system.
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.