Modeling transport of microplastics in enclosed coastal waters: A case study in the Fethiye Inner Bay

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2020-01, Vol.150, p.110747-110747, Article 110747
• Main Authors: Genc, Asli Numanoglu, Vural, Nilufer, Balas, Lale
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Bays; Climate models; Coastal currents; Coastal waters; Coastal zone; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Enclosed waters; Environmental Monitoring; Fethiye Bay; Fluid flow; Hydrodynamics; HYDROTAM-3D; Marine debris; Marine environment; Mathematical models; Microplastic pollution; Microplastic transport; Microplastics; Microplastics - analysis; Modelling; Models, Chemical; Numerical modeling; Numerical models; Plastic debris; Plastic pollution; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; Protected areas; Surface water; Three dimensional models; Transport; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water pollution; Water quality
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110747

In this study, transport and possible accumulation of microplastic marine litter in enclosed coastal waters are modeled numerically. The model is applied to the Fethiye Inner Bay, located in Fethiye-Göcek Specially Protected Area. In modeling studies, three dimensional coastal hydrodynamics, transport and water quality numerical model HYDROTAM-3D was used. The current climate was prepared by modeling long-term circulation patterns due to wind, wave and density stratifications. Following the hydrodynamic studies, the advection and diffusion of 3 mm size polystyrene particles by the coastal currents in the surface waters of Fethiye Inner Bay were simulated. The coastal regions where the microplastic pollution will be concentrated and transported were determined by the modeling scenarios. It has been found that microplastic accumulation is expected in the southwest and east coastal waters of the Fethiye Inner Bay. The results of the model will contribute to the databases for sustainable protection of the marine environments. •The 3-D numerical modeling of long-term circulation patterns was studied.•The transport submodule of HYDROTAM-3D is extended for microplastic transport.•The model was applied to an enclosed coastal area, the Fethiye Inner Bay.•The advection and diffusion of 3 mm size polystyrene particles were simulated.•Microplastic accumulation is seen in SW and E coastal waters of Fethiye Inner Bay.