A team of Australian researchers have developed an innovative method to detect plastic waste on our beaches. They have been subjected to extensive field testing on a secluded beach with promising results.
A new look at plastic pollution
Conventional satellite technology effectively tracks the large amounts of floating plastic debris in our oceans. This includes the spectacular Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating garbage island three times the size of France.
However, satellites cannot detect plastic waste on beaches, where waste easily mixes with the sand. Check out the RMIT team’s latest developments, a state-of-the-art satellite imaging tool. The device essentially captures changes in light reflection from sand, water and plastic, making it easier to detect coastal plastic debris more than 600 km above the ground. A breakthrough like this could fundamentally change the way we approach coastline cleanup.
plastic on beaches
We currently dump more than 10 million tonnes of plastic waste into our oceans every year worldwide. By 2030, this number could rise to an impressive 60 million tonnes. The study was conducted by Dr. RMIT University. Conducted by Jenna Gaffogg. It sheds light on the dire impact of coastal plastic on wildlife and their habitats.
Researchers have found that plastic can be mistaken for food, causing larger animals to become entangled and smaller animals, such as hermit crabs, to become trapped in items such as plastic containers.
A quiet tidal wave of the ocean
“Remote island beaches have some of the highest recorded densities of plastic in the world, and we are also seeing an increase in plastic and abandoned fishing gear off the far north coast of Australia,” Guffogg said. he said.
If this plastic is not cleaned up, it slowly breaks down into micro and nano plastics, with their own dangers and consequences. While the harmful effects of ocean plastic on the environment, fisheries and tourism are well known, having physical data and direct cleanup operations to quantify the full extent of the problem has been elusive until now.
Index of plastic waste washed ashore
The Beached Plastic Debris Index (BPDI) uses a proprietary mathematical formula to rank reflected light patterns collected by satellites. This data is then used to display an image that highlights what we care about most: plastic waste.
To test its effectiveness, 14 plastic targets, each approximately two square meters in area, were placed on a beach in South Gippsland, Victoria. Satellite images using the new index were compared to three existing indices, demonstrating the superior performance of BPDI in identifying areas contaminated with plastic.
Detection of plastic from space
Co-author of the study, Dr. “This is incredibly exciting because until now we haven’t had a tool to detect plastic in coastal environments from space,” said Mariela Soto-Berelov.
“The beauty of satellite imagery is that it can capture large, remote areas at regular intervals. “Identification is a key step needed to understand where plastic waste accumulates and plan clean-up operations that align with various Sustainable Development Goals, such as protecting seas and oceans.”
Large and distant areas can be captured at regular intervals with satellite images. This detection is a tool for understanding where plastic waste accumulates and effectively planning clean-up operations.
Protecting beaches from plastic
As exciting as this invention is, the BPDI utility needs to be tested in real-world scenarios. The team is keen to continue their research and work with organizations to help protect sensitive beaches from the threat of plastic.
Guffogg conducted this research as part of joint doctoral research at RMIT in Australia and the University of Twente in the Netherlands. He currently works in the geographic mapping industry, pointing to a promising future for this innovative research.
Community Action for a Cleaner Coast
The potential of the Coastal Plastic Waste Index offers an opportunity to engage local communities in meaningful environmental action. With accurate data identifying litter hotspots, community-led clean-up operations can increase efficiency and impact by targeting the most affected areas.
This empowerment of local groups promotes a sense of collective environmental stewardship, promoting awareness and responsibility for maintaining a cleaner coast. By combining scientific advances with the efforts of ordinary people, a more comprehensive approach to tackling plastic pollution may be possible.
Global impacts of the study
The RMIT team’s development of this new monitoring tool has profound implications on a global scale. As countries strive to achieve international environmental goals, such innovative technologies can play an important role in reducing the amount of plastic waste and mitigating its negative impacts. Partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations can facilitate widespread implementation and adaptation of this tool in different geographical contexts.
Additionally, with continued research and development, BPDI can expand its application beyond beaches to monitor other ecosystems created by plastic waste. Such foresight and determination promises a cleaner and more sustainable future for our planet.
Futuristic research and satellite imaging technologies are working hard to combat the urgent problem of plastic pollution. This aligns with our broader aim to regenerate our environment and is aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals, such as protecting our seas and oceans. The study was published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin.
Source: Port Altele
