Bajon R., Huck T., Grima N., Maes Christophe, Blanke B., Richon C., Couvelard X. (2023). Influence of waves on the three-dimensional distribution of plastic in the ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 187, 114533 [11 p.]. ISSN 0025-326X.
Titre du document
Influence of waves on the three-dimensional distribution of plastic in the ocean
The world's oceans are facing plastic pollution, 80 % of which of terrestrial origin flowing from the mismanaged waste of coastal populations and from river discharge. To study the fate of this pollution, the three-dimensional trajectories of neutral plastic particles continuously released for 24 years according to realistic source scenarios are computed using currents from a global ocean-wave coupled model at resolution and from a reference ocean-only model. These Lagrangian simulations show that neutral particles accumulate at the surface in the subtropical convergence zones from where they penetrate to about 250 m depth and strongly disperse over 40? of latitude. About 5.3 % of the particles remain at the surface with the wave-coupled model currents, whereas only 2 % for the uncoupled model, with some modulation in the location of the convergence zones. Increased surface retention results from upward vertical velocities induced by widespread divergence of waves-induced Stokes transport in the surface layers.
Plan de classement
Analyse de données [020STAT02]
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Pollution océanique [038POLOCE]
