Numerical Modeling of a Floating Polyethylene Film Dynamics in the Field of Surface Waves

The development of the physical foundations of remote diagnostics of areas of plastic pollution of reservoirs has now become highly relevant due to the increase in anthropogenic pollution of the World Ocean. The pollution is largely related to the polyethylene (PE) films, which can affect to variability of the radar scattering signal when probing the sea surface, which can be used to diagnose plastic areas. PE films are often located in the near-surface layers of water, rather than floating on the surface, despite the fact that their density is usually less than the density of water. This paper presents a numerical study of the dynamics of a small floating PE film in the field of surface waves. The open source software “OpenFOAM” was used as a numerical modeling tool. It was found that the film floats in the absence of waves, but if there are any surface waves, it can sink, float, or be in the equilibrium at some depth. The detected effect indicates the occurrence of an additional force in a fast oscillating wave field, which is directed against buoyancy forces and depends on the steepness of the wave and the depth of the initial film location.