PhD Thesis

Behaviour of microplastics in a land surface-atmosphere system and structured terrain

Eike Esders (04/2020-12/2022)

Support: Christoph Thomas, Wolfgang Babel

The aim of this thesis is it to broaden current knowledge of the transport of micro plastics in the environment. The approach of this thesis can be divided into two phases. In the first phase we measure the suspension and deposition rates of micro plastic particles in a turbulent flow system. These experiments are conducted in a wind tunnel. Important explanatory variables will be altered, like shape, size, surface properties and turbulent characteristics. These findings will provide important parameters for the second phase of this thesis. In the second phase Large-Eddy-Simulations (LES) are conducted. These simulations will provide further insights into the transport of micro plastic particles in a land surface-atmosphere system. This thesis has the potential to enhance our understanding of micro plastic transport and might answer the following questions:

Which micro plastic particles have the highest suspension potential?

Which circumstances lead to high suspension rates?

When do particles deposit?

Where are sources and sinks of micro plastic particles?