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Papers
13 resultsShowing papers from École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
ClearMicroplastics storage at the sediment-water interface in a gravel-bed river: Importance of local hydro-sedimentary conditions in downwelling, upwelling, and sedimentation zones
Researchers studied how river water flow patterns affect where microplastics accumulate in gravel streambed sediments along the Ain River in France. They found that upwelling zones, where groundwater pushes up through the riverbed, had significantly higher microplastic concentrations at depth compared to downwelling zones. The findings reveal that the interaction between surface water and groundwater plays an important but previously underappreciated role in trapping and storing microplastics within riverbeds.
Inertia Induces Strong Orientation Fluctuations of Nonspherical Atmospheric Particles
Researchers experimentally demonstrated that heavy, nonspherical particles settling in still air exhibit decaying orientation oscillations, while the same particles in liquids relax smoothly without oscillating. Theoretical analysis revealed that these oscillations are driven by particle inertia due to the large mass-density ratio between the particles and air. The findings are relevant for modeling the behavior of atmospheric particles like volcanic ash and ice crystals, which influence climate and weather patterns.
Confronting Grand Challenges in environmental fluid mechanics
This perspective paper outlines grand challenges in environmental fluid mechanics, covering stratified turbulence, ocean and atmospheric mixing, and pollution transport, and identifying priorities for future research to address environmental sustainability problems.
Environmental and land use controls of microplastic pollution along the gravel-bed Ain River (France) and its “Plastic Valley”
Researchers examined microplastic accumulation in the gravel-bed Ain River in France, finding that land use patterns — particularly proximity to plastic manufacturing and agricultural areas — are key drivers of microplastic hotspots in river sediments and floodplains.
Phenomenological model of suspended sediment transport in a small catchment
This paper is not relevant to microplastics; it presents a hydrological model for suspended sediment transport in a small tropical river catchment in Guadeloupe.
Impact of medical face mask wear on bacterial filtration efficiency and breathability
Researchers investigated whether medical face masks could be safely worn beyond the manufacturer-recommended 4-hour limit, finding that extended wear under various simulated conditions affected bacterial filtration efficiency and breathability, with implications for reducing mask-related plastic waste.
The effect of fluid composition, salinity, and acidity on subcritical crack growth in calcite crystals
Experiments on calcite crystals showed that fluid chemistry — particularly pH and salt composition — significantly affects the rate of microcrack growth in the mineral under stress. This geomechanics study focuses on rock fracture processes relevant to Earth's crust and geological engineering, with no direct connection to microplastics research.
Structure, Morphology, and Surface Chemistry of Surgical Masks and Their Evolution up to 10 Washing Cycles
Researchers studied the structural, morphological, and surface chemistry changes in surgical masks subjected to up to 10 washing cycles, using scanning electron microscopy, wetting angle measurements, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that washing did not substantially change surface hydrophobicity, but documented fiber morphology changes that raise questions about filtration performance and microfiber release from reused masks.
Mixing and unmixing induced by active camphor particles
Scientists used self-propelled camphor particles on water to study how tiny floating objects are mixed or separated by active swimmers. This fluid physics research has implications for understanding how microplastic particles are distributed and mixed in water bodies with current and biological activity.
Mixing enthalpies of fluorinated precursors for textile industry in ionic liquids
Researchers applied the COSMO-SAC modelling approach to screen ionic liquids as solvents for removing PFAS fluorinated precursors from textiles, calculating infinite dilution activity coefficients to identify ionic liquids capable of dissolving two representative fluorinated precursors likely present in textile waste.
Reusability of face masks: Influence of washing and comparison of performance between medical face masks and community face masks
Researchers tested the impact of 20 wash cycles at 60 degrees Celsius on the particle filtration efficiency and breathability of both medical face masks and reusable community face masks, measuring performance across particle sizes from 0.1 to 6.5 micrometers. They found that washing affected filtration efficiency differently between mask types, informing guidance on the safe reuse of masks and their relative environmental footprints.
Agriculture and global physicochemical deregulation: planetary boundaries that challenge planetary health
This perspective paper argues that modern agriculture is disrupting planetary boundaries in multiple ways—nitrogen cycles, biodiversity, climate, and chemical pollution including plastics. It makes the case that sustainable food systems are essential for maintaining planetary and human health.
Plastic ingestion by seabirds in New Caledonia, South Pacific
Researchers examined stomach contents of 90 seabirds from 12 species in New Caledonia and found plastic debris in 14.4% of individuals, with the highest rates in procellariids (petrels and shearwaters), providing the first plastic ingestion baseline for this Pacific island region.