Numerical simulations of the vertical distribution of microplastics in the ocean

The central aim of this project will be to use high resolution numerical simulations to study the influence of small-scale physics on the vertical distribution of microplastics in the ocean. Specifically, this will involve a Lagrangian particle-tracking model embedded within large-eddy simulations (LES). The primary advantage of LES within this context is that it explicitly resolves the largest three-dimensional turbulent motions, which are responsible for the majority of the vertical particle transport. The simulations will be forced by wind and surface heat fluxes to represent a variety of realistic scenarios. The LES will allow us to deeply probe the fluid dynamical processes at play and their impact on microplastics. We will then work to develop a model for the vertical distribution of microplastics for use in global ocean models.