Mass-balance models are useful tools for understanding the transport and transformation of chemical and plastic contamination. However, many existing models do not account for the spatial and temporal variability of particle transport processes driven by variable flow velocities in freshwater systems, which is an important process for hydrophobic chemicals and plastics. During the talk, I will introduce a parsimonious parameterization of particle dynamics to better estimate their fate and transport under variable flow conditions without increasing input demands. Additionally, plastic pollution has emerged as a global environmental concern owing to its persistence and widespread presence across all environments. I will also present our recent study that systematically evaluates how inherent plastic properties influence environmental exposure, using exposure metrics implemented in the UTOPIA unit-world model.
Xiaoyu Zhang is a PhD student in the Department of Environmental Science at Stockholm University. Her research focuses on developing, evaluating, and applying open-source models to better understand the environmental fate and exposure of plastics, and to inform strategies for managing plastic pollution.