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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The fate of microplastics in estuary: A quantitative simulation approach
ClearShape- and polymer-considered simulation to unravel the estuarine microplastics fate
Using a shape- and polymer-specific simulation model of the Yangtze River Estuary — the world's largest plastic contributor to the ocean — researchers estimated that approximately 9,766 kg of microplastics pass through the surface layer per month during peak input periods. The study also showed that resuspension of microplastics from intertidal zones significantly affects transport estimates, and introduced a new risk index that factors in particle shape, abundance, and polymer type to better identify estuarine hotspots where removal interventions could be most effective.
How the Yangtze River transports microplastic to the east China sea
Researchers used interpolation and input-output modeling to estimate how the Yangtze River transports microplastics seasonally from land to the East China Sea, finding that MP loads varied substantially by month with peak transport during high-flow periods. Tributary contributions and agricultural runoff were identified as major factors controlling MP flux to the estuary.
Small microplastic particles dominate Yangtze River particulate pollution
Researchers conducted annual monitoring of plastic particle fluxes in the Yangtze River estuary, finding that small microplastic particles dominate particulate pollution and that their distribution varies significantly by location and season, with important implications for estimating riverine plastic inputs to the sea.
Seasonal dynamics, tidal influences, and anthropogenic impacts on microplastic distribution in the Yangtze River estuary: A comprehensive characterization and comparative analysis
Researchers studied microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River estuary and found average concentrations of about 1 particle per cubic meter of surface water, mostly polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. Microplastic levels were nearly twice as high during flood season compared to dry season and decreased with distance from urban centers. These findings highlight how population density and seasonal water flow influence microplastic distribution in major waterways.
Small microplastic particles dominate Yangtze River particulate pollution
Annual field monitoring of microplastic fluxes in the Yangtze River estuary found that small particles dominated the plastic load and that abundance was spatially and temporally heterogeneous, providing the first systematic estimate of the river's annual plastic contribution to the ocean.
Disentangling the retention preferences of estuarine suspended particulate matter for diverse microplastic types
Researchers used computer simulations to model how 16 different types of microplastics travel through the Yangtze River estuary in China. They found that lightweight, small-diameter fiber microplastics are most likely to clump together with suspended sediment, while heavier particles move more independently. The study reveals that turbid zones where river water meets the sea act as hotspots for microplastic accumulation.
Microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River: Characterization, influencing factors, and scenario-based predictions using machine learning method
Microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River was characterized across multiple sampling sites, documenting spatial patterns in particle abundance, polymer types, and size distributions. As one of the world's largest rivers, the Yangtze's microplastic burden has major implications for plastic delivery to the Pacific Ocean.
Dynamic signatures of microplastic distribution across the water column of Yangtze River Estuary: Complicated implication of tidal effects
Seasonal sampling of microplastic concentrations throughout the Yangtze River Estuary water column found tidal dynamics strongly influenced distribution, with researchers developing a model estimating 2154 tons per year of microplastic flux into the East China Sea and a tide impact factor index of 38-58%.
Navigating the difference of riverine microplastic movement footprint into the sea: Particle properties influence
Researchers mapped how different types of microplastic particles move from the Yangtze River into the sea based on their size, shape, and polymer type. They found that particle properties strongly influence transport patterns, with lighter and smaller particles traveling farther into the ocean while heavier ones settle near the estuary. The study provides a framework for predicting where different microplastics end up after leaving river systems.
Occurrence and fate of microplastic debris in middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River – From inland to the sea
A large-scale survey along the middle and lower Yangtze River found microplastics throughout the water column and sediments, with concentrations increasing toward the river mouth and a clear trend of microplastics moving from inland sources toward the sea. The study provides field evidence for rivers as major pathways for microplastic transport from land to ocean.
Hydrodynamic driven microplastics in Dongting Lake, China: Quantification of the flux and transportation
Researchers developed a framework combining field monitoring with numerical simulation to quantify microplastic transport in Dongting Lake, a large freshwater lake in China. They estimated that roughly 199 trillion microplastic items entered and 129 trillion exited the lake in 2021, and identified four key accumulation zones overlapping with nature reserves and agricultural areas. The study suggests that these accumulation patterns pose considerable risks to both ecological biodiversity and food security.
Suspended microplastics in the surface water of the Yangtze Estuary System, China: First observations on occurrence, distribution
Researchers measured suspended microplastic concentrations in surface water across the Yangtze Estuary system in China, finding spatial gradients that reflected inputs from the Yangtze River and local coastal sources.
The combination of detection and simulation for the distribution and sourcing of microplastics in Shing Mun River estuary, Hong Kong
Researchers combined field sampling with hydrodynamic computer modelling to trace the sources and movement of microplastics in a Hong Kong river estuary, finding polyethylene was the dominant polymer type and that tidal conditions strongly influenced where plastics accumulated in water, sediment, and oysters. The combined detection-simulation approach offers a more complete picture of microplastic sources and transport than sampling alone, which is important for managing contamination in estuaries used for aquaculture.
Microplastic risk assessment in surface waters: A case study in the Changjiang Estuary, China
Researchers assessed microplastic risk in surface waters of the Changjiang Estuary, finding measurable contamination and identifying this major river delta as a significant source and pathway for microplastic transport into coastal marine environments.
Study on the Migration and Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in the Pearl River Estuary under Changing Environmental Conditions
Researchers investigated the migration and spatial distribution of microplastics in the Pearl River Estuary under changing environmental conditions, modeling the dynamic transport of the estimated 66 tons of microplastics discharged annually from this estuary into the South China Sea.
Analysis of suspended microplastics in the Changjiang Estuary: Implications for riverine plastic load to the ocean
Suspended microplastics were measured in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuary, one of the world's largest rivers, to estimate its total plastic load delivered to the East China Sea. The study found substantial and highly variable microplastic concentrations that, when scaled to river discharge, suggest the Yangtze contributes a significant fraction of total global riverine plastic input to the ocean.
[Distribution and Settlement of Microplastics in the Surface Sediment of Yangtze Estuary].
Researchers found microplastics in surface sediments at six sites in China's Yangtze River estuary, with concentrations varying by location and season. The study documents significant plastic contamination in this major coastal zone, raising concerns about ecosystem health and entry of microplastics into the marine food web.
Simulation of seasonal transport of microplastics and influencing factors inthe China Seas based on the ROMS model
Researchers used the Regional Ocean Modeling System combined with the LTRANS Lagrangian transport model to simulate seasonal microplastic transport throughout the China Seas, finding that circulation patterns, river discharge, and particle properties drive marked seasonal variations in microplastic pathways and spatial distribution.
Environmental fate of microplastics in the world's third-largest river: Basin-wide investigation and microplastic community analysis
Researchers conducted a basin-wide investigation of microplastics throughout the entire Yangtze River system, sampling water, sediment, and soil. The study found microplastics in all samples with abundance increasing from upstream to downstream, driven by both geographical and human factors, with major cities at the middle and lower reaches identified as key pollution nodes.
A numerical model of microplastic transport for fluvial systems
Researchers developed a reduced-complexity numerical model of microplastic erosion, transport, and deposition in fluvial systems, applying it to the river Têt in France and finding that a large proportion of microplastics become entrained in river sediments before reaching the ocean.
Influence of estuarine physical processes in the transport of microplastics: a modelling study in the Gironde estuary
Researchers developed a hydrodynamic model to investigate how estuarine physical processes in the Gironde estuary influence the transport and distribution of microplastics, examining the role of tidal currents, salinity gradients, and fluvial discharge on particle fate. The modelling study provides insight into the mechanisms controlling microplastic accumulation and export in estuarine environments.
Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Surface Seawater off the Yangtze River Estuary Section and Analysis of Ecological Risk Assessment
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface seawater near the Yangtze River estuary across four seasons in 2017 and 2019. They found microplastics at all sampling stations, with abundance varying by season and influenced by river discharge and ocean currents. The study provides baseline data on microplastic pollution levels in this ecologically important estuarine region of China.
Modelling microplastic dynamics in estuaries: a comprehensive review, challenges, and recommendations
This review examined process-based numerical models used to simulate microplastic transport and fate in estuaries, identifying key challenges including particle diversity, tidal dynamics, and limited field validation data. The authors highlight how models complement observational studies and outline priorities for improving predictive accuracy in these dynamic coastal environments.
Modeling Microplastic Dispersion in the Salado Estuary Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Researchers employed computational fluid dynamics modeling to simulate microplastic dispersion in the Salado Estuary, examining how industrial activities and plastic waste degradation drive transport dynamics of microplastics through the estuarine system.