We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Aerial detection of beached marine plastic using a novel, hyperspectral short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera
Summary
Researchers demonstrated that a lightweight hyperspectral short-wave infrared camera mounted on a drone could successfully detect and distinguish polyethylene and polypropylene plastics on beaches under natural sunlight, establishing proof of concept for aerial plastic monitoring.
Abstract Plastic pollution in the marine environment is a pervasive, global problem that threatens wildlife and human health. Routine monitoring is required to determine pollution hotspots, focus clean-up efforts, and assess the efficacy of legislation implemented to reduce environmental contamination. The shoreline represents an accessible area, relative to open water, from which to monitor this. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer a low-cost platform for remote sensing that operates below cloud coverage, which can interfere with satellite imagery. Detection of plastic using visible light is limited however, and results may be improved by using short-wave infrared (SWIR) imagery to collect chemical information. Within the commercial recycling industry, plastic items are sorted successfully based on their composition using SWIR instrumentation that measures the chemical spectra of waste items under controlled illumination. Here, proof of concept is established for aerial detection of domestic and shoreline-harvested plastic items on a beach under natural sunlight with a lightweight (800 g), hyperspectral SWIR camera deployed at an altitude of ∼ 5 m over ∼ 30-m transects. The results of spectral correlation mapping to compare imagery spectra to polyethylene and polypropylene reference spectra demonstrate that these two polymers can be successfully detected with this novel method.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Using a UAV Thermal Infrared Camera for Monitoring Floating Marine Plastic Litter
Researchers evaluated thermal infrared (TIR) cameras mounted on UAVs as a novel tool for detecting floating plastic litter on water surfaces, demonstrating that TIR imaging can complement visible and near-infrared sensing by detecting plastics based on temperature differences rather than optical reflectance.
Quantifying Marine Plastic Debris in a Beach Environment Using Spectral Analysis
Researchers analyzed shortwave infrared reflectance spectra of weathered marine plastic debris on sandy beaches, finding that polymer type significantly influences detection capability at sub-pixel surface covers relevant to remote sensing applications.
Hyperspectral ultraviolet to shortwave infrared characteristics of marine-harvested, washed-ashore and virgin plastics
Researchers characterized the hyperspectral optical properties of marine-harvested plastic litter across ultraviolet to shortwave infrared wavelengths, generating spectral signatures needed to support remote sensing detection of floating plastic debris. The spectral library produced contributes to developing satellite and airborne monitoring systems for large-scale ocean plastic surveillance.
Accurate detection of low concentrations of microplastics in soils via short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging
Researchers combined short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging with machine learning algorithms to detect low concentrations of polyamide and polyethylene microplastics in soil samples, achieving accurate classification with implications for fast, non-destructive screening of agricultural land for plastic contamination.
Efficient screening of microplastics in soils using hyperspectral imaging in the short-wave infrared range coupled with machine learning – A laboratory-based experiment
Researchers tested short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning to detect three types of microplastics in soil, finding it could identify elevated contamination but was not sensitive enough for typical environmental background levels. The technique shows most promise for screening heavily polluted sites like landfills and industrial areas.