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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Influence of Settling/Rising Velocity on the Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in the Marine Environment
ClearMicroplastics segregation by rise velocity at the ocean surface
This study modeled the competing forces of particle buoyancy and turbulent mixing that control the vertical distribution of microplastics in the ocean surface layer, finding that particle rise velocity is the key variable that segregates plastic types and determines how they distribute relative to surface and subsurface measurements.
Catching the variety: Obtaining the distribution of terminal velocities of microplastics particles in a stagnant fluid by a stochastic simulation
A stochastic simulation model was used to estimate the distribution of settling and rising speeds for microplastic particles of varying size, shape, and density in still water. Understanding how microplastics move through water columns is essential for predicting where they accumulate and how organisms are exposed.
Distribution of plastics of various sizes and densities in the global ocean from a 3D Eulerian model
Researchers developed a 3D Eulerian ocean transport model to simulate the global distribution of microplastics of varying sizes and densities, incorporating particle-specific vertical terminal velocity calculations driven by ECCO ocean current data. The model revealed that particle size and density critically determine vertical distribution patterns, with smaller and denser particles sinking more rapidly and accumulating in distinct ocean depth zones.
Modeling the trajectories of floating and non-floating microplastic particles in the water column
Researchers modeled the trajectories of both floating and non-floating microplastic particles in freshwater and marine water columns, accounting for turbulence-induced mixing, buoyancy differences, and flow characteristics that determine vertical and horizontal distribution. The study highlights that while low-density polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene are expected to concentrate at the surface, turbulent mixing drives significant depth distribution across aquatic environments.
Modeling Microplastic Transport in the Marine Environment: Testing Empirical Models of Particle Terminal Sinking Velocity for Irregularly Shaped Particles
Researchers tested multiple drag models for predicting the terminal settling velocity of irregularly shaped microplastic particles in seawater, identifying three high-precision models and demonstrating that settling velocity is largely stable across ocean depths and independent of initial particle velocity, improving the accuracy of marine microplastic transport simulations.
Distribution of Plastics of Various Sizes and Densities in the Global Ocean From a 3D Eulerian Model
Using a three-dimensional Eulerian transport model, researchers simulated global ocean distribution of microplastics across different sizes and densities, finding that particle buoyancy and size strongly govern vertical distribution and that significant MP fractions sink to deeper ocean layers.
Sinking microplastics in the water column: simulations in the Mediterranean Sea
Researchers simulated the vertical dispersion and distribution of negatively buoyant microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea using a realistic circulation model, evaluating how inertia, Coriolis force, turbulence, and variable seawater density affect sinking trajectories and accumulation zones.
Influence of waves on the three-dimensional distribution of plastic in the ocean
Researchers modeled the trajectories of microplastic particles released continuously from coastal sources across realistic ocean simulations to understand how wave dynamics and ocean circulation distribute plastic pollution globally. The model showed that wave-driven mixing significantly influences vertical plastic distribution, not just horizontal surface drift. Including wave effects improves predictions of where ocean microplastics accumulate.
Factors influencing the vertical distribution and transport of plastics in riverine environments: Theoretical background and implications for improved field study design.
This review examines the physical and hydrodynamic factors governing the vertical distribution and transport of plastics in riverine environments, synthesizing theoretical background on settling velocity, turbulence, and buoyancy to provide recommendations for improved field study design.
The effect of wind mixing on the vertical distribution of buoyant plastic debris
Researchers modeled and measured how wind mixing affects the vertical distribution of buoyant plastic debris in the ocean, finding that turbulent mixing drives plastics below the surface and explains why surface sampling underestimates total plastic concentrations.
Physical transport properties of marine microplastic pollution
Researchers reviewed the physical transport properties of marine microplastics — including buoyancy, settling velocity, and biofouling effects — and developed models predicting the dispersal of both pelagic and benthic plastic pollution from land-based sources across different ocean regions. The study highlights how hydrodynamic behavior varies by polymer type and particle size, leading to differential accumulation patterns in surface waters, the water column, and seafloor sediments.
Transport of marine microplastic particles: why is it so difficult to predict?
This review examines why predicting the transport of marine microplastic particles is challenging, highlighting that the wide distributions of particle density, size, and shape create continuously varying dynamical properties such as sinking velocity and resuspension thresholds. Researchers found that existing numerical models predominantly use simplified single-particle representations and fail to capture how particle properties change over time in the marine environment.
Quantifying the influence of size, shape, and density of microplastics on their transport modes: A modeling approach
Researchers developed a computer model that predicts how microplastics of different sizes, shapes, and densities move through ocean water. The model accurately simulates whether particles float on the surface, stay suspended in the water column, or settle to the bottom. Understanding how microplastics travel through marine environments is important for predicting where contamination accumulates and which seafood sources are most likely to be affected.
On some physical and dynamical properties of microplastic particles in marine environment
This study examined the physical and dynamical properties of microplastic particles in marine environments, using modeling to predict how particle shape, density, and size govern transport, dispersion, and accumulation patterns.
Three-Dimensional Settling Dynamics of Environmental Microplastics
Researchers measured the three-dimensional settling dynamics of environmental microplastic particles in water, including lateral drift, settling paths, and horizontal velocities—dimensions poorly understood beyond simple vertical settling rates. The findings are essential for developing accurate models of how MPs distribute across river channels and water columns.
Using Numerical Model Simulations to Improve the Understanding of Micro-plastic Distribution and Pathways in the Marine Environment
This review summarizes a decade of numerical models that simulate the ocean transport of microplastics, assessing how well different models capture the effects of currents, waves, and wind. The authors identify key uncertainties — especially around vertical mixing, beaching, and fragmentation — that limit the predictive accuracy of current models.
Vertical transport of buoyant microplastic particles in the ocean: The role of turbulence and biofouling
Researchers modeled how turbulence and biofouling interact to determine the vertical movement of buoyant microplastic particles in the ocean. They identified three distinct flow regimes that govern whether microplastics stay at the surface, oscillate, or sink to the seafloor. The study helps explain the observation that even low-density microplastics are found in deep ocean sediments, suggesting biofouling-driven density changes are a key transport mechanism.
Evidence of Microplastic Size Impact on Mobility and Transport in the Marine Environment: A Review and Synthesis of Recent Research
This review synthesized evidence on how microplastic particle size affects transport and dispersal in the marine environment, finding that size critically influences turbulent entrainment, settling velocity, and resuspension, analogous to well-established natural sediment transport dynamics.
Influence of Particle Size and Fragmentation on Large-Scale Microplastic Transport in the Mediterranean Sea
Modeling of microplastic transport in the Mediterranean Sea showed that particle size and density strongly influence vertical distribution and large-scale dispersal patterns. Incorporating plastic fragmentation into the model predicted mass loss over time but also a shift toward smaller, more numerous particles that travel further and are harder to remove.
Numerical analysis of boundary conditions in a Lagrangian particle model for vertical mixing, transport and surfacing of buoyant particles in the water column
This technical modeling paper examines how to accurately simulate the behavior of buoyant particles (like microplastics) rising to the ocean surface in computer models. Improving these simulations helps predict where floating microplastics will accumulate in the ocean.
Direct numerical simulation of the distribution of floating microplastic particles in an open channel flow
This study used direct numerical simulation to model the three-dimensional distribution of floating microplastic particles in open channel flow, providing quantitative predictions of how particle buoyancy, size, and turbulence interact to control microplastic concentration profiles in rivers.
On the vertical structure of non-buoyant plastics in turbulent transport
Researchers investigated how non-floating plastic debris moves through river-like flows and found that plastics settle in unique, complex patterns due to their irregular shapes. In low-turbulence conditions, interactions between the plastic particles and the riverbed enhanced mixing beyond what standard sediment transport models would predict. The study proposes a new equation for describing how plastics are distributed vertically in flowing water.
The vertical distribution of buoyant plastics at sea: an observational study in the North Atlantic Gyre
Field measurements of buoyant plastic particles at multiple depths in the ocean showed that concentrations decrease sharply below a few meters, with turbulence mixing plastics downward. The data validate model predictions and confirm that surface net trawls substantially undercount total plastic in the water column.
Investigation of dynamic change in microplastics vertical distribution patterns: The seasonal effect on vertical distribution
This study combined targeted field sampling in the Bay of Marseille with numerical simulations to analyze how microplastic vertical distribution patterns in the ocean water column change seasonally, finding that wind mixing and particle buoyancy are key drivers of vertical transport.