0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Policy & Risk Sign in to save

Unmanned Vehicle and Hyperspectral Imager for a More Rapid Microplastics Sampling and Analysis

2023 2 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 30 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Catherine E. Deschênes, Artur Zolich, Wagner, Martin, Geir Johnsen, Tor Arne Johansen, Andrea Faltynkova

Summary

Researchers tested a combination of an autonomous surface vehicle and a near-infrared hyperspectral imager to rapidly sample and identify microplastics on the Norwegian coast. Results compared favorably with standard FTIR analysis and demonstrated a repeatable method for assessing spatially variable microplastic concentrations in the marine environment.

In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept study aiming to improve the sampling and analysis of microplastics (MPs) by implementing a novel methodology combining an autonomous surface vehicle and a near-infrared hyperspectral imager (HSI). The field study was conducted from the 2nd to the 5th of August 2022 at Runde – a well-known bird preservation island on the Western coast of Norway. Over 35 samples from two different locations (Exposed (A) and Sheltered (B)), MPs concentration was at its highest (0.511 MPs/m3) in location A. During the four days of sampling, at least 25 % of the data did not detect any MPs (0 MPs/m3). Thus, we showcase an easy repeatable method towards the assessment of high variable MPs concentration using a Portable Catamaran Drones (PCD) and a near-infrared hyperspectral imager (HSI). The results from HSI were compared against Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform infrared (ATR-FTIR). No significant difference ($\mathrm{P} > 0.05$) found at location A indicated that both instruments can provide accurate MPs concentration. A potential future correlation between MPs concentration and Key Environmental Variables (KEVs) could help to contribute to the modeling and policymaking world.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Use of an uncrewed surface vehicle and near infrared hyperspectral imaging for sampling and analysis of aquatic microplastics

Researchers combined an uncrewed surface vehicle with near-infrared hyperspectral imaging to sample and analyze aquatic microplastics larger than 300 micrometers. The approach demonstrated improved scalability and repeatability compared to traditional trawling methods, offering a more efficient way to monitor microplastic contamination in coastal waters.

Article Tier 2

An effective strategy for the monitoring of microplastics in complex aquatic matrices: Exploiting the potential of near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI)

Researchers developed a near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) method for rapid monitoring of microplastics in complex marine matrices, demonstrating effective detection and polymer identification that overcomes the time and cost limitations of conventional spectroscopic analysis approaches.

Article Tier 2

Rapid shipboard measurement of net-collected marine microplastic polymer types using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging

Researchers developed a rapid near-infrared hyperspectral imaging method for identifying polymer types in ship-collected marine microplastic samples, achieving results in minutes compared to hours for conventional methods and enabling higher-throughput ocean monitoring.

Article Tier 2

Rapid and direct detection of small microplastics in aquatic samples by a new near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) method

Researchers developed a rapid near-infrared hyperspectral imaging method capable of detecting and chemically identifying small microplastics (down to a few hundred micrometers) in aquatic samples faster and with less labor than traditional spectroscopy approaches.

Article Tier 2

Simple and rapid detection of microplastics in seawater using hyperspectral imaging technology

Researchers developed a hyperspectral imaging technique for rapid detection and identification of microplastics in seawater, demonstrating it could analyze multiple particles simultaneously and significantly reduce the time burden compared to traditional individual-particle identification protocols.

Share this paper