Full rotational dynamics of plastic microfibers in turbulence

TL;DR

This study investigates the rotational behavior of elongated plastic microfibers in turbulent ocean-like conditions, providing new experimental data on their spinning and tumbling rates to better understand microplastic dispersion.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed experimental analysis of the three-dimensional rotational dynamics of microplastic fibers in turbulence, focusing on their spinning and tumbling behaviors.

Findings

Microfibers exhibit specific spinning and tumbling rates influenced by turbulence.

The data enhances understanding of microplastic transport and dispersion in marine environments.

Experimental methods enable detailed three-dimensional orientation tracking of fibers.

Abstract

The motion, settling, and dispersion of microplastics in the ocean are determined by their rotational dynamics. We present experiments on elongated, large aspect ratio, and mildly curved plastic fibers slightly longer than the Kolmogorov length scale. Exploiting their uniquely identifiable three dimensional orientation, we perform original optical Lagrangian investigations and provide a set of homogeneous data on their rotation rates around their longitudinal axis -- spinning rate -- and transversal axes -- tumbling rates -- which we explain in the context of the general features of turbulence.