Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Carbon Cycle01:14

The Carbon Cycle

37.2K
Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
37.2K
Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

18.2K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
18.2K
The Phosphorus Cycle01:21

The Phosphorus Cycle

36.7K
Unlike carbon, water, and nitrogen, phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, most phosphorus in the ecosystem exists as compounds, such as phosphate ions (PO43-), found in soil, water, sediment and rocks. Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient (i.e., in short supply). Consequently, phosphorus is added to most agricultural fertilizers, which can cause environmental problems related to runoff in aquatic ecosystems.
36.7K
Primary Production01:06

Primary Production

23.6K
The total amount of energy acquired by primary producers in an ecosystem is called gross primary production (GPP). However, of this energy, producers use some for metabolic processes, and some is lost as heat, decreasing the amount of energy available to the next trophic level. The remaining usable amount of energy is called the net primary productivity (NPP). In terrestrial ecosystems, NPP is driven by climate, while light penetration and nutrient availability drive NPP in aquatic ecosystems.
23.6K
  1. Home
  3. Research Domains
  5. Physical Sciences
  7. Condensed Matter Physics
  9. Surface Properties Of Condensed Matter
  11. Calcite Carbonate Sinks Low-density Plastic Debris In Open Oceans

Calcite carbonate sinks low-density plastic debris in open oceans

Xiang-Fei Sun1,2, Yanxu Zhang3, Meng-Yi Xie1

  • 1School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.

Nature Communications
|June 6, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
05:31

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

16.0K
Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status
13:18

Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status

Published on: May 18, 2019

12.0K
Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis
10:12

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Published on: July 1, 2017

11.6K

View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Low-density microplastics (LDMPs) sink due to microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). This process explains how these plastics gain density and settle to the ocean floor, enriching oceanic sediment.

Area of Science:

  • Oceanography
  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Vertical settling of plastic debris in oceans is poorly understood.
  • Low-density microplastics (LDMPs) are often absent from sea surfaces, suggesting a sinking mechanism.
  • Existing models do not fully account for the fate of these particles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) in the vertical settling of LDMPs.
  • To develop new motion equations for irregular LDMPs.
  • To explain the selective enrichment of LDMPs in oceanic sediment.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a numerical model incorporating MICP.
  • Inclusion of new motion equations for irregular LDMPs.
  • Analysis of particle motion patterns and density changes.

Related Experiment Videos

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
05:31

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

16.0K
Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status
13:18

Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status

Published on: May 18, 2019

12.0K
Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis
10:12

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Published on: July 1, 2017

11.6K

Main Results:

  • LDMP motion exhibits a damped oscillation pattern, differing from biofouling models.
  • LDMPs in the 10-200 µm size range gain sufficient density via MICP to sink independently.
  • Particle size and shape significantly influence settling patterns non-linearly.

Conclusions:

  • MICP is a crucial process for the vertical transport of LDMPs in open oceans.
  • Calcite-mediated sinking explains the presence of LDMPs in oceanic sediments.
  • Understanding these sinking dynamics is vital for plastic pollution research.