Impact of Stokes drift and washing-off on the pathways and accumulation of microplastics originating from a subtropical estuary

IF 3.1 3区地球科学 Q2 METEOROLOGY & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES

Ocean Modelling Pub Date : 2024-12-21 DOI:10.1016/j.ocemod.2024.102492

Caiyuan Cai , Bo Hong , Liangsheng Zhu , Hongzhou Xu , Ling Wang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Highly urbanized river deltas are hotspots for microplastic (MP) pollution, yet research on the transport and accumulation of MPs from these estuaries remains limited. This study employed a Lagrangian particle-tracking model to elucidate the pathways and accumulation of MPs originating from the Pearl River Estuary over a three-year simulation. The results indicated that Stokes drift was the predominant factor influencing the southwestward transport of MPs. This movement led to their accumulation along the northeastern and southeastern coasts of Hainan Island, with a potential extension towards the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia during the autumn and winter seasons. The combined effects of Stokes drift and washing-off processes enable some MPs entering the Beibu Gulf through Qiongzhou Strait. The washing-off processes disrupted the seasonal variations of MP pathways, altering the spatiotemporal distribution of MPs across different regions of the South China Sea. These findings could facilitate the local policymaking and environment protecting.

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来源期刊

Ocean Modelling 地学-海洋学

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

9.40%

发文量

审稿时长

19.6 weeks

期刊介绍： The main objective of Ocean Modelling is to provide rapid communication between those interested in ocean modelling, whether through direct observation, or through analytical, numerical or laboratory models, and including interactions between physical and biogeochemical or biological phenomena. Because of the intimate links between ocean and atmosphere, involvement of scientists interested in influences of either medium on the other is welcome. The journal has a wide scope and includes ocean-atmosphere interaction in various forms as well as pure ocean results. In addition to primary peer-reviewed papers, the journal provides review papers, preliminary communications, and discussions.