Detection of Floating Marine Litter Transport Structure Based on Particle Relative Dispersion in Mulan Bay, Hainan

¹ Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572024, China
² Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education of China, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
³ College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China

^* zxq@ouc.edu.cn

Abstract

Based on the FVCOM model and particle tracking model, this study simulates the material transport process in Mulan Bay and the surrounding sea areas of Hainan, and analyzes the dispersion characteristics and transport structure of the floating marine litter using the Relative Dispersion (RD) method. The results show that Mulan Bay, as a semi-enclosed area on the eastern side of the Qiongzhou Strait, plays a significant role in intercepting and accumulating floating marine litter. In spring and autumn, Mulan Bay demonstrates a clear interception effect on the floating marine litter transported from the Qiongzhou Strait. In summer, influenced by the southwest wind, the floating marine litter tends to be transported towards the northeast. In winter, under the strong influence of the northeast monsoon, the interception and accumulation capacity of Mulan Bay is significantly enhanced, making it a key area controlling the transport of floating marine litter in the Guangdong sea area. The research results provide scientific basis for the marine litter management in Hainan.