Fate of microplastics and mesoplastics carried by surface currents and wind waves: A numerical model approach in the Sea of Japan

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:121

Article

Iwasaki, Shinsuke¹  Isobe, Atsuhiko¹  Kako, Shin'ichiro²  Uchida, Keiichi³  Tokai, Tadashi³ 

[1] Kyushu Univ, Res Inst Appl Mech, 6-1 Kasuga Koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 8168580, Japan

[2] Kagoshima Univ, Grad Sch Sci & Engn, 1-21-40 Korimoto, Kagoshima 8900065, Japan

[3] Tokyo Univ Marine Sci & Technol, Minato Ku, 4-5-7 Konan, Tokyo 1088477, Japan

关键词: Microplastics;    Mesoplastics;    Sea of Japan;    Stokes drift;    Particle tracking model;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.057

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

A numerical model was established to reproduce the oceanic transport processes of microplastics and mesoplastics in the Sea of Japan. A particle tracking model, where surface ocean currents were given by a combination of a reanalysis ocean current product and Stokes drift computed separately by a wave model, simulated particle movement. The model results corresponded with the field survey. Modeled results indicated the micro- and mesoplastics are moved northeastward by the Tsushima Current. Subsequently, Stokes drift selectively moves mesoplastics during winter toward the Japanese coast, resulting in increased contributions of mesoplastics south of 39 degrees N. Additionally, Stokes drift also transports micro- and mesoplastics out to the sea area south of the subpolar front where the northeastward Tsushima Current carries them into the open ocean via the Tsugaru and Soya straits. Average transit time of modeled particles in the Sea of Japan is drastically reduced when including Stokes drift in the model.

【 授权许可】

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