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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Using hydrodynamic models to understand the impacts and risks of plastic pollution
ClearModelling Microplastic Dynamics in Estuaries: A Comprehensive Review, Challenges and Recommendations
This comprehensive review examines how process-based computer models have been used to simulate microplastic transport and fate in estuaries — the complex, tidal zones where rivers meet the sea. It evaluates different modeling approaches for capturing hydrodynamics, particle behavior, and interactions with sediment, identifying key gaps and inconsistencies in how microplastic properties are represented. Better estuarine models are needed to predict where plastics accumulate, how long they persist, and what risks they pose to coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
Modeling the fate of microplastics in the Sengkarang Estuary, Pekalongan City, Central Java, Indonesia
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in water and sediment at the mouth of the Sengkarang River in Indonesia and built a hydrodynamic model to track how tidal currents, wind, and river flow distribute the particles. Microplastics were highest in coastal waters and mangrove sediments, with tides and currents driving horizontal transport and concentrating particles in biologically sensitive habitats. The modeling approach offers a practical framework for predicting where microplastics accumulate and informing pollution management in river-to-sea systems.
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.
Predicting the exposure of coastal species to plastic pollution in a complex island archipelago.
This study used a fine-resolution hydrodynamic model to predict where plastic pollution accumulates along the Whitsunday Islands in Australia, finding that both local and distant sources contribute to exposure risks for coral reefs, mangroves, and sea turtle nesting sites. The results demonstrate that locally targeted management can meaningfully reduce plastic exposure to high-value coastal habitats.
Numerical Modelling Techniques for Marine Debris : A Systematic Literature Review
This systematic review surveys numerical modeling approaches used to track the fate and transport of marine plastic debris, covering particle tracking models, hydrodynamic simulations, and bibliometric trends. Understanding how plastic moves through ocean systems is critical for identifying pollution hotspots and designing effective cleanup or prevention strategies.
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.
Modeling the spatiotemporal distribution, bioaccumulation, and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: A review
Researchers modeled the spatiotemporal distribution and ecological risk of microplastics across a coastal marine environment, incorporating hydrodynamic data and bioaccumulation factors for multiple species. The model predicted highest microplastic concentrations near urban outflows with risk extending through the food web.
Numerical Modelling of Plastic Debris Transport and Accumulation throughout Portuguese Coast
Researchers applied numerical modelling to simulate the transport and accumulation of plastic debris along the Portuguese coast, assessing how ocean currents drive microplastic dispersal and deposition patterns in this Atlantic coastal region. The study contributes spatial predictions of plastic accumulation hotspots to inform monitoring and management strategies.
Marine macro debris transport based on hydrodynamic model before and after reclamation in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia
This hydrodynamic modeling study predicted how marine debris would move in Jakarta Bay before and after planned land reclamation, finding that the new island configuration would alter debris transport patterns. The study is relevant to understanding how coastal development affects the distribution of plastic waste.
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.
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.
Simulating the impact of estuarine fronts on microplastic concentrations in well-mixed estuaries
Researchers used a high-resolution 3D hydrodynamic model of the Conwy Estuary in Wales to simulate how estuarine fronts influence microplastic concentration and dispersal, finding that tidal fronts can trap and concentrate particles — increasing local exposure and affecting how much plastic is exported to coastal waters.
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.
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.
Modeling Microplastic Dispersion in the Salado Estuary Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Researchers used computational fluid dynamics software to simulate how polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic particles move through a section of the Salado Estuary in Guayaquil, Ecuador, under realistic tidal and flow conditions. The simulations revealed how particle size, density, and hydrodynamic forces interact to distribute plastics through the estuary, and identified zones of highest accumulation. This modeling approach offers a cost-effective way to guide sampling efforts and predict where microplastics concentrate in estuarine systems in the absence of comprehensive field data.
Microplastics Patch Based on HydrodynamicModeling in The North Indramayu, Java Sea
Hydrodynamic modeling was used to track microplastic transport in the Java Sea off North Indramayu, Indonesia, predicting accumulation zones influenced by tidal currents and seasonal winds. The study provides a modeling framework for understanding microplastic distribution in Indonesian coastal waters, which receive high plastic inputs from land.
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.
Predicting the Dispersal and Accumulation of Microplastic Pellets Within the Estuarine and Coastal Waters of South-Eastern Brazil Using Integrated Rainfall Data and Lagrangian Particle Tracking Models
This study used particle tracking models combined with rainfall data to predict how plastic pellets and microplastics move and accumulate in estuarine and coastal waters of southeastern Brazil after entering from industrial and river sources. The modeling approach revealed that storm events pulse high concentrations of microplastics into coastal areas, creating temporary hotspots of contamination.
Identification of Microplastic Accumulation Zones in a Tidal River: A Case Study of the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada
Researchers used a 3D hydrodynamic model coupled with a Lagrangian particle tracking model to simulate microplastic transport and identify accumulation zones in the tidal Fraser River in British Columbia. The modelling identified specific depositional hotspots linked to flow velocity gradients, providing a framework for targeted monitoring and remediation.
Developing Realistic Models for Assessing Marine Plastic Pollution in Semi-Enclosed Seas
Researchers developed realistic modeling approaches for assessing marine plastic pollution in semi-enclosed seas, accounting for plastic transport from land-based sources via rivers and inland pathways to better predict accumulation patterns.
Numerical modelling of microplastics transport and accumulation throughout Portuguese coast
Researchers used computer modeling to simulate how microplastics move and accumulate along Portugal's coastline. The modeling approach helps identify areas of highest plastic concentration and informs strategies to reduce microplastic pollution in marine environments.
Modeling Microplastic Transport in Watershed and Estuarine Systems: A Coupled DHSVM-FVCOM Approach
Scientists built a coupled computer model linking a watershed hydrology model to an ocean circulation model to simulate how microplastics move from land through rivers into estuarine and coastal waters. Applied to the Delaware River Estuary, the framework can help predict where microplastics accumulate, which is essential for designing targeted monitoring and cleanup interventions.
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.
Assessment of floating debris transport in Puttalam lagoon
Researchers assessed floating debris transport dynamics within Puttalam Lagoon in Sri Lanka using hydrodynamic modelling, simulating pollutant movement patterns to predict accumulation zones and inform management strategies for reducing plastic and debris contamination in this coastal lagoon ecosystem.