Articles | Volume 18, issue 20
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-7227-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-7227-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Review and perspective paper
| 
15 Oct 2025
Review and perspective paper |
| 15 Oct 2025
| 15 Oct 2025
Modelling microplastic dynamics in estuaries: a comprehensive review, challenges, and recommendations
Betty John Kaimathuruthy
Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, 33600 Pessac, France
Isabel Jalón-Rojas
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, 33600 Pessac, France
Damien Sous
Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, SIAME, Anglet, France
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Damien Sous, Marc Pézérat, Solène Déalbéra, Héloïse Michaud, and Denis Morichon
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2285, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2285, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The circulation of nearshore water is of primary importance for the health of coastal ecosystems and the coastal hazards, such as erosion. The present study focuses on the role played by bottom friction, which is particularly important in rocky or coral reef areas. Using field observations and numerical simulations, we show that the waves are able to increase the bottom friction and therefore affect the whole circulation and water level dynamics.
Axelle Gaffet, Xavier Bertin, Damien Sous, Héloïse Michaud, Aron Roland, and Emmanuel Cordier
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 1929–1946, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-1929-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-1929-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a new global wave model that improves predictions of sea states in tropical areas by using a high-resolution grid and corrected wind fields. The model is validated globally with satellite data and nearshore using in situ data. The model allows for the first time direct comparisons with in situ data collected at 10–30 m water depth, which is very close to shore due to the steep slope usually surrounding volcanic islands.
Isabel Jalón-Rojas, Damien Sous, and Vincent Marieu
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 319–336, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-319-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-319-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a novel modeling approach for understanding microplastic transport in coastal waters. The model accurately replicates experimental data and reveals key transport mechanisms. The findings enhance our knowledge of how microplastics move in nearshore environments, aiding in coastal management and efforts to combat plastic pollution globally.
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Executive editor
This paper provides a comprehensive review of modelling studies on microplastic transport in estuaries, a field that, while relatively recent, is rapidly expanding due to the growing recognition of microplastic pollution as a global environmental challenge. It offers the first synthesis of the diverse modelling approaches applied in estuarine studies and we think that this paper meets the scope of the Geoscientific Model Development as the journal emphasizes modelling studies.
This paper provides a comprehensive review of modelling studies on microplastic transport in...
Short summary
Studies on plastic pollution have emerged as a rapidly growing field of research. Modelling microplastic transport in estuaries stems from their complex hydrodynamics and diverse particle behaviours affecting the dispersion and retention of microplastics. We review key modelling approaches applied in estuaries analysing their set-ups and parameterizations. We provide recommendations and future directions to improve the accuracy and modelling strategies for estuarine microplastic research.
Studies on plastic pollution have emerged as a rapidly growing field of research. Modelling...
