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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Developing Realistic Models for Assessing Marine Plastic Pollution in Semi-Enclosed Seas
ClearTrajectory, fate, and magnitude of continental microplastic loads to the inner shelf: A case study of the world's largest coastal shallow lagoon
Researchers modeled the continental-scale transport and eventual fate of microplastics, estimating how particles move from terrestrial sources through river systems to coastal and open ocean environments. The analysis highlights oceans as the ultimate sink for a large fraction of land-derived microplastics.
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.
The quest for the missing plastics: Large uncertainties in river plastic export into the sea
Researchers reviewed modeling approaches for estimating river plastic transport to the ocean, identifying large discrepancies between modeled export quantities and observed ocean plastic concentrations. The study highlights major uncertainties in current models stemming from limited observational data and calls for improved monitoring to resolve the 'missing plastics' problem.
Modeling the Pathways and Accumulation Patterns of Micro- and Macro-Plastics in the Mediterranean
A basin-scale hydrodynamic model tracked plastic debris pathways in the Mediterranean Sea, showing that coastal currents concentrate plastics in the northwestern basin and that both riverine inputs and sea-based sources contribute substantially to the distribution hotspots observed at the surface.
Mapping microplastic pathways and accumulation zones in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea – insights from modeling
A hydrodynamic-particle tracking model of the Gulf of Finland found that rivers contribute 76% of microplastic inputs while wastewater treatment plants account for 24%, with most plastics accumulating within the gulf rather than drifting to the broader Baltic Sea.
A numerical model of microplastic erosion, transport, and deposition for fluvial systems
Researchers developed a numerical model of microplastic erosion, transport, and deposition in river systems, finding that rivers act as temporary sinks trapping significant fractions of MPs before they reach the ocean, with implications for estimating marine MP loading from terrestrial sources.
A particle tracking model approach to determine the dispersal of riverine plastic debris released into the Indian Ocean
Researchers developed a particle tracking model to simulate the dispersal of riverine plastic debris released into the Indian Ocean from surrounding landmasses. The study found that plastic accumulation on beaches peaked during monsoon seasons, with ocean currents, wind, and wave action driving distinct transport patterns, providing valuable data for identifying high-risk coastal areas and informing cleanup strategies.
Using hydrodynamic models to understand the impacts and risks of plastic pollution
This paper used hydrodynamic computer models to simulate the transport and accumulation of plastic pollution in estuarine and coastal environments. The approach helps predict where marine litter concentrates based on currents and geography, which is useful for targeting cleanup efforts and informing coastal management policies.
River inflow of microplastics and their distribution in sea areas on the example of the southern Baltic Sea
Researchers tracked the flow of microplastics from rivers into adjacent sea areas in the Baltic region, quantifying concentrations at the river-sea interface. River inflow was confirmed as a major delivery pathway for marine microplastic contamination in enclosed coastal seas.
Modeling drift and fate of microplastics in the Baltic Sea
Researchers developed a hydrodynamic model to track the drift and accumulation of microplastics in the Baltic Sea, linking coastal emission sources to offshore accumulation zones and identifying key oceanographic processes that govern the fate of land-derived plastic pollution.
River freshwater effects on the South-East Asian ocean dynamics
Researchers evaluated how river freshwater fluxes from Southeast Asia affect regional ocean dynamics by comparing model simulations to observed conditions. River discharge is also one of the primary pathways by which land-based plastic waste enters the ocean as microplastics.
The Plastic Pathfinder: A Macroplastic Transport and Fate Model for Terrestrial Environments
Researchers introduced the Plastic Pathfinder, a computer model that simulates how plastic waste moves across land through wind, rain, and river systems before reaching the ocean. The model helps identify key transport pathways and accumulation hotspots, which is critical information for targeting plastic pollution interventions.
River and Urban-Related Microplastic Pollution in the Gulf of America: A Modeling Study
Researchers used a Lagrangian particle-tracking model coupled with a high-resolution 1 km three-dimensional regional ocean model to investigate microplastic pollution dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico, focusing on inputs from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River system and coastal wastewater treatment plant discharges. The modelling study mapped MP transport pathways and accumulation zones in a biologically critical marine environment under multiple emission scenarios.
Modeling river and urban related microplastic pollution off the southern United States
Researchers used a Lagrangian particle-tracking model coupled with a high-resolution ocean circulation model to simulate the short-term transport and distribution of microplastics entering the Gulf of Mexico from rivers and urban sources along the southern United States coast.
Trapping of plastics in semi-enclosed seas: Insights from the Bohai Sea, China
A computer model was used to simulate how microplastics become trapped in the semi-enclosed Bohai Sea in China, using field data to validate predictions. Semi-enclosed seas like the Bohai accumulate plastic pollution from surrounding land sources and can retain it for long periods.
Modelling global river export of microplastics to the marine environment: Sources and future trends
Researchers developed the GREMiS model to estimate global river export of microplastics to the ocean, projecting that annual marine inputs will increase significantly under business-as-usual plastic production scenarios.
Taking a mass-balance approach to assess marine plastics in the South China Sea
Researchers applied a mass-balance modeling approach to assess marine plastic pollution in the South China Sea, finding critical data gaps on plastic inputs, transfer rates, and sink terms that prevent accurate quantification of this recognized global plastic hotspot.
Modeling transport of microplastics in enclosed coastal waters: A case study in the Fethiye Inner Bay
A numerical model was used to simulate how microplastic particles move through the Fethiye Inner Bay in Turkey, identifying coastal areas where plastics are likely to accumulate. Such transport models are essential for predicting where marine protected areas and cleanup efforts will be most effective.
Macroplastic fate and transport in an Amazonian Estuarine System: A Lagrangian Modelling Approach
Scientists used computer models to track how large plastic waste travels from the city of Belém, Brazil through rivers and waterways to the ocean. They found that plastic pollution gets stuck in certain areas during low water periods but moves quickly to the ocean during high water periods, creating pollution hotspots near the city. This research helps identify where plastic waste accumulates so communities can better target cleanup efforts and prevent this pollution from reaching the ocean and potentially entering our food chain.
River plastic transport and storage budget.
This global synthesis estimated the plastic transport and storage budget for rivers by measuring plastic in the water surface, water column, riverbanks, and floodplains — finding that far more plastic is stored within rivers than is transported to the ocean. The study challenges the assumption that rivers are primarily conduits and highlights them as major long-term plastic reservoirs.
Limited role of discharge in global river plastic transport
A new modeling framework proposes that riverine plastic transport is driven primarily by plastic availability in the catchment rather than river discharge, challenging the assumption that high-flow events are the main driver of plastic export to the ocean.
Revising the role of discharge in global river plastic transport
Researchers propose that the amount of plastic available for transport — determined by human activity and plastic stockpiles on land — limits how much plastic rivers carry to the ocean, not the river's water flow as previously assumed. This shift in thinking reshapes global plastic pollution models and helps identify better targets for reducing plastic reaching the sea.
From source to sink: part 1—characterization and Lagrangian tracking of riverine microplastics in the Mediterranean Basin
Researchers characterized riverine microplastics from source to coastal sink, using Lagrangian tracking to trace the transport of particles from inland rivers to coastal deposition zones and identifying key retention points in the system.
The quest for the missing plastics: Large uncertainties in river plastic export into the sea
Researchers reviewed large discrepancies between modeled river plastic export to the ocean and observed ocean plastic concentrations, identifying major uncertainties in plastic transport models due to limited field observation data. The analysis pointed to river hydrodynamics, plastic beaching, and fragmentation as poorly constrained factors contributing to the so-called missing plastics problem.