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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Technical note: On the importance of a three-dimensional approach for modelling the transport of neustic microplastics
ClearInfluence 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.
Influence of waves on the three-dimensional distribution of plastic in the ocean.
This modeling study simulated the three-dimensional transport of plastic particles in the ocean over 24 years using a wave-coupled circulation model, finding that ocean surface waves significantly influence how deeply plastics are mixed and distributed. Accounting for waves is important for accurately predicting where plastic pollution concentrates and how much reaches the deep ocean.
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.
Influence of Near‐Surface Currents on the Global Dispersal of Marine Microplastic
An ocean circulation model incorporating biological and physical processes found that near-surface currents, including wind-driven surface drift and wave-induced mixing, play a major role in dispersing buoyant microplastics globally, with plastic accumulating preferentially in subtropical convergence zones. The model improves understanding of how ocean physics shapes global microplastic distribution patterns.
Passive buoyant tracers in the ocean surface boundary layer: 2. Observations and simulations of microplastic marine debris
Using ocean computer models calibrated against real-world observations, this study showed how wave mixing and other physical processes push buoyant microplastics below the ocean surface, explaining why less plastic is detected at the surface than expected. These models are critical for estimating where microplastic pollution is truly accumulating in the ocean.
Eulerian Modeling of the Three‐Dimensional Distribution of Seven Popular Microplastic Types in the Global Ocean
A three-dimensional Eulerian ocean model was used to simulate the global distribution of seven common microplastic types across ocean depths and regions, predicting that most plastic accumulates in subtropical gyres and on the seafloor rather than at the surface. The modeling framework provides a tool for forecasting where plastic pollution will concentrate under different emission scenarios.
Comparing models and observations of the surface accumulation zone of floating plastic in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre
This study compared ocean circulation models to observational data on where floating plastic accumulates in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. Improving model accuracy is important for predicting plastic concentration zones and designing effective ocean cleanup strategies.
Three-Dimensional Dispersion of Neutral “Plastic” Particles in a Global Ocean Model
Researchers used Lagrangian particle tracking in a high-resolution global ocean model to simulate the three-dimensional fate of neutrally buoyant plastic particles released from rivers over 1991-2010. By the end of the simulation, less than 2% of particles remained at the surface, concentrated in subtropical gyres, while the majority sank — challenging the assumption that floating surface plastics represent the bulk of ocean plastic.
The Role of the Unsteady Surface Wave‐Driven Ekman–Stokes Flow in the Accumulation of Floating Marine Litter
Researchers modeled the role of wave-driven Ekman-Stokes flow in the accumulation of floating marine debris, finding that this near-surface current mechanism significantly influences where plastic litter concentrates at sea, with implications for predicting and targeting ocean cleanup efforts.
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.
Fate of microplastics and mesoplastics carried by surface currents and wind waves: A numerical model approach in the Sea of Japan
A particle-tracking ocean model for the Sea of Japan showed that surface currents, wind waves, and Stokes drift all influence the distribution of floating microplastics, with model outputs matching field survey data. The study demonstrates the value of combining wave dynamics with current models to predict where microplastics accumulate in coastal seas.
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.
Vertical distribution of weakly inertial, quasi-neutrally buoyant particles in a convective ocean mixed layer
Scientists used computer models to study how tiny plastic particles move up and down in ocean water. They found that these microplastics don't just float at the surface—they can get trapped at specific depths where ocean currents and temperature changes create "collection zones." This matters because it helps explain where microplastics accumulate in the ocean, which could affect marine food chains and ultimately the seafood we eat.
Modeling marine surface microplastic transport to assess optimal removal locations
Researchers used satellite-tracked buoy data and surface trawl observations to model marine microplastic transport from 2015 to 2025, finding that plastic collectors positioned off the coast of China and in the Indonesian Archipelago could remove 31% of modeled microplastic mass — nearly twice as effective as placement in the North Pacific garbage patch.
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.
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.
Modeling of vertical microplastic transport by rising bubbles
This study modeled the vertical transport of microplastic particles by rising bubbles in the ocean, finding that bubble-mediated transport significantly enhances surface concentration of microplastics and helps explain why surface measurements often show higher particle densities than bulk water predictions suggest.
How Are Microplastics Transported to Polar Regions?
New computer modeling found that submerged microplastics are transported by deep ocean currents along very different routes than floating plastic debris visible on the surface. This suggests that current surface-based monitoring significantly underestimates the true distribution of plastic pollution in the global ocean.
Impacts of changing ocean circulation on the distribution of marine microplastic litter
Researchers modelled the impact of changing ocean circulation on the distribution of marine microplastics, examining how projected shifts in current patterns may alter the accumulation zones and transport pathways of plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm.
A 3D numerical model to Track Marine Plastic Debris (TrackMPD): Sensitivity of microplastic trajectories and fates to particle dynamical properties and physical processes
The TrackMPD model was introduced as a 3D numerical framework for simulating marine microplastic transport, incorporating particle properties, buoyancy changes, and physical oceanographic processes to improve trajectory and fate predictions.
Vertical structure of ocean surface currents under high winds from massive arrays of drifters
This oceanography study used drifting buoys to measure ocean surface currents very close to the water surface, improving understanding of how wind and waves drive near-surface transport. Such current models are important for predicting how buoyant microplastics are distributed and concentrated across ocean surface waters.
Impacts of wind forcing on microplastics kinematic in a sensitive water area
Researchers modeled how wind forcing affects the movement and distribution of microplastics in a sensitive coastal water area, finding that wind-driven surface currents are a dominant control on where microplastics accumulate. The model predicts substantial wind-driven concentration at specific coastal zones.
Model uncertainties of a storm and their influence on microplastics / sediment transport in the Baltic Sea
Researchers used ocean circulation modeling to simulate how microplastics and sediment are transported in the Baltic Sea during storm events, identifying uncertainty in the models as a key challenge. Despite this, the approach helps predict where microplastics accumulate on the seafloor, which is otherwise expensive to measure directly.
Observations of Near‐Surface Current Shear Help Describe Oceanic Oil and Plastic Transport
Researchers used near-surface current shear measurements to better describe how oil and plastic debris disperse and accumulate at the ocean surface, improving model predictions for the distribution of floating contaminants.