Dynamics of low and high density microplastics in the world's largest choked coastal lagoon under contrasting meteoceanographic conditions

IF 2.1 3区地球科学 Q2 OCEANOGRAPHY

Continental Shelf Research Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.csr.2024.105396

Kristhal Doto , Pablo Silva , Rémi Bouyssou , Isabel Jálon-Rojas , Elisa Helena Fernandes

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The contamination by plastic waste in aquatic environments has become a global issue, scientifically reported since 1970. The size and durability of microplastics (MPs, 1 μm > 5 mm) have made these debris widely distributed in aquatic environments. Despite various ongoing initiatives, there is a need to fill gaps in understanding how MPs are transported from their release sources to their final destinations. Therefore, understanding the distribution and dynamics of MPs in coastal areas, such as lagoons and estuaries, which are considered continental sources of MPs to the oceans, is essential to help fill these gaps and propose alternatives for managing what is the environmental problem of the century. In this context, this study aimed to assess the transport patterns of MPs in Patos Lagoon, the largest choked coastal lagoon in the world, considering contrasting meteoceanographic conditions in the system dynamics, such as wind and discharge. Using the hydrodynamic model TELEMAC-3D and the model for plastics particles TrackMPD, simulations were performed using a type of MP polymer (Polypropylene - PP). The simulations of MP transport considered advection, dispersion and the contribution of biofilm in increasing particle density (representing high-density microplastics). The results indicated a gradient of MPs retention from north to south, with higher concentrations of MPs occurring in the northern part of the system. The central region of the lagoon showed a greater tendency for MP export towards the southern region than retention. Meanwhile, the estuary region of Patos Lagoon exhibited a tendency for export of low-density MPs free of biofilm and retention of higher-density MPs, subject to the action of the Plastisphere. Additionally, based on the results obtained from density occurrence maps, it was possible to suggest potential accumulation areas of MPs throughout the lagoon system, reinforcing that the system can act as a sink in specific regions.

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来源期刊

Continental Shelf Research 地学-海洋学

CiteScore

4.30

自引率

4.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

6.1 months

期刊介绍： Continental Shelf Research publishes articles dealing with the biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography of the shallow marine environment, from coastal and estuarine waters out to the shelf break. The continental shelf is a critical environment within the land-ocean continuum, and many processes, functions and problems in the continental shelf are driven by terrestrial inputs transported through the rivers and estuaries to the coastal and continental shelf areas. Manuscripts that deal with these topics must make a clear link to the continental shelf. Examples of research areas include: Physical sedimentology and geomorphology Geochemistry of the coastal ocean (inorganic and organic) Marine environment and anthropogenic effects Interaction of physical dynamics with natural and manmade shoreline features Benthic, phytoplankton and zooplankton ecology Coastal water and sediment quality, and ecosystem health Benthic-pelagic coupling (physical and biogeochemical) Interactions between physical dynamics (waves, currents, mixing, etc.) and biogeochemical cycles Estuarine, coastal and shelf sea modelling and process studies.