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Ecological Aspects of the Use of Fiber-Optic UAVs
Original title: ЕКОЛОГІЧНІ АСПЕКТИ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ОПТОВОЛОКОННИХ БПЛА
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Military drones that use thin optical fiber cables to stay connected are leaving behind an overlooked environmental mess: this fiber piles up in fields and forests, physically harming plants and animals, while also breaking down into microplastics and releasing germanium oxide, a toxic compound. As microplastics increasingly show up in our food, water, and even our bodies, this research is a reminder that new technologies—even ones designed for other purposes—can quietly add to the pollution we're already exposed to.
The paper analyzes the problem of environmental pollution by optical fiber, which is actively used to provide communication with UAVs. It is shown that the accumulation of fiber on plants directly affects their growth and poses a danger to animals. Simultaneously with the direct mechanical impact, optical fiber creates chemical pollution through the formation of microplastics and the release of germanium oxide during degradation.
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