Dataset on settling of polystyrene microplastic aggregates through density transition between distilled water and saltwater

Settling experiments were conducted in a water column consisting of an upper layer (distilled water), a lower layer (saltwater—NaCl solution in distilled water), and a density transition between the two. The sinking of aggregates formed by polystyrene microplastics was examined using visualization methods to track the position of the aggregate centroid over time, as well as the evolution of size and shape factors during sinking. The dataset includes (1) measurements of settling dynamics, (2) measurements of size and shape factors of sinking aggregates, and (3) density profiles of the water column. The experiment demonstrates delayed settling of porous aggregates through the density gradient of the surrounding liquid, illustrating diffusion-limited retention and the evolution of aggregate shape during sinking.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
GCMD keywords
  • name: EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > MARINE SEDIMENTS > SEDIMENTATION URL: https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/KeywordViewer/scheme/all/a4eb3bc4-48a5-4ed2-a74b-ca87a58e90f5
  • name: EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > SALINITY/DENSITY > HALOCLINE URL: https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/KeywordViewer/scheme/all/04305c55-14f0-42a3-a099-79eb326946d7
  • name: EARTH SCIENCE SERVICES > MODELS > PHYSICAL/LABORATORY MODELS URL: https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/KeywordViewer/scheme/all/1eb8b98b-73a1-4657-beda-76ab6355dd08
Dataset Center https://data.mendeley.com
Maintainer Mendeley Data
Dataset PI
  • PI name: Magdalena Mrokowska PI email: m.mrokowskafoo(at)igf.edu.pl PI ORCID: 0000-0002-3135-7315 PI Institution: Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences PI Department: Hydorology and Hydrodynamics Department
Dataset Owner
  • Owner name: Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences Owner PIC (Participant Identification Code): 996625337
Licence Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Dataset status Complete
Activity type laboratory measurements
Access constraint Open
Embargo
Dataset modified
Metadata created
Quality statement Not quality controlled
Quality Editor
  • Editor name: Magdalena Mrokowska Editor email: m.mrokowska(at)igf.edu.pl Editor ORCID: 0000-0002-3135-7315 Editor Institution: Institute of Geophysics PAS
Spatial distribution
Region
Start time
End time
Dataset citation Mrokowska, Magdalena (2025), “Dataset on settling of polystyrene microplastic aggregates through density transition between distilled water and saltwater”, Mendeley Data, V2, doi: 10.17632/4mz2p8wpvt.2
Dataset DOI 10.17632/4mz2p8wpvt.2
External resource
  • Resource URL: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/4mz2p8wpvt/2 Resource description: sinking dynamics of polystyrene aggregates through density stratification due to salinity variation
Publication
  • Publication title: Lempart-Drozd M, Mrokowska MM, Zych Ł, Goleń J,Krztoń-Maziopa A (2025) Conditions for homoaggregation of pristine polystyrene microplastic in aquatic environments. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 715:136674 Publication DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.136674
Project