Transport of Non-Spherical Particles by Waves and Currents

We experimentally investigated how shape affects the transport of particles by waves and currents. We released millimeter-scale, negatively buoyant particles of different shapes in a laminar channel flow both with and without surface gravity waves. The particles’ downstream landing locations allowed us to determine both how the mean distance travelled before settling out and the particle dispersion varied with shape and the presence of waves. Our results have ramifications for modeling the near-surface transport of microplastic pollution in the ocean.