Modeling Microplastic Transport in Chesapeake Bay

Loni Matthew presented her Master’s research on microplastic transport dynamics on July 21st. Microplastics (plastic particles <5mm) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments. Understanding how they move within aquatic systems is key to understanding how to manage them. Loni’s research used a particle transport model (LTRANS) coupled with hydrodynamic model (ChesROMS) to evaluate the importance of different factors that alter the way plastic particles move within aquatic spaces. Loni’s results show that factors like particle density, biofouling, turbulence, “beaching” (determining if a particle gets “stuck” when it encounters a shoreline), and even seasons, all have a clear impact on the ultimate fate of microplastics. Congratulations Loni on a successful defense!