Tracking and modeling macro plastic debris in north of Hormuz Strait, Persian Gulf

Plastics are the most important pollutants in oceans and seas and are regarded as serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. The effect of tide, wind and water depth on movement of plastic marine debris has been examined in north of Hormuz Strait in Hormozgan province coasts, Hormuz Island and east of Qeshm Island. Particle tracking is used by numerical modeling using MIKE software for time interval of January to March 2017. Field study and model output clarified that direction of the particle movement during a tidal period made an elliptical shape that the small diameter formed due to wind and the large diameter varied with tide motion. The highest movement of the particle was observed one hour after high water (low water) to one hour before low water (high water). Wind was the most effective parameter within one hour before and after low water (high water). At same the time interval, as the area deepened, more movement was observed. Tracking the samples showed that more than 60% reached Bandar Abbas coasts in less than 8 days after release. The other regions receiving the samples were coasts of Hormuz Island and East of Qeshm Island with estimates of 30% and 2%, respectively. The results can be used to forecast marine macro debris accumulation zones and time duration which assist the management system as a cleanup tool.