In a pioneering study, University of Minnesota researchers utilize remote sensing to tackle the pressing issue of plastic pollution in freshwater environments, providing a novel, cost-effective solution to a global problem.
A groundbreaking study from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is poised to revolutionize the way plastic pollution in freshwater environments, such as rivers and lakes, is monitored and managed. Published in the journal Nature, the research introduces the use of remote sensing technology to effectively track and potentially remove plastic debris from large bodies of fresh water.
Plastic pollution is a well-documented crisis impacting the world’s oceans, recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme as one of the foremost environmental challenges. Yet, this focus often overshadows the significant issue of plastic debris in rivers and lakes, which serve as conduits for ocean-bound waste.
The University of Minnesota researchers aimed to address this gap. Their innovative approach leverages remote sensing technology to authenticate and categorize plastic debris based on spectral reflectance properties — specific wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum — differentiating it from naturally occurring elements like seaweed, sediments, driftwood and water foams.
“We could use this technology to identify different types of plastics in the water simultaneously. This is key information that we need when employing other technology, like drones, to capture and remove plastic debris in natural environments,” lead author Mohammadali Olyaei, a doctoral student in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering, said in a news release.
Conducted at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, the research utilized real conditions of the Mississippi River that runs through the facility. This allowed for a practical evaluation of the remote sensing system.
The team combined a spectroradiometer — a remote sensing platform — with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera to monitor and identify various debris types through their unique spectral signatures.
“If we can develop technology at the Mississippi headwaters, in a place like Minnesota, to catch plastic debris, we can protect the downstream states and the entire ocean from plastic pollution. As soon as these plastics begin to spread more and more, their control becomes more and more challenging,” added corresponding author Ardeshir Ebtehaj, an associate professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering.
The potential implications of this research extend far beyond Minnesota. If adopted widely, such technology could create a formidable defense against the spread of plastic debris, protecting not only local waterways but also contributing significantly to global ocean conservation efforts.