Harnessing Aerial Imaging Techniques to Monitor the Transport of Floating Macro-Plastics in Fluvial Systems

This research explores the transport dynamics of floating macro-plastics in riverine environments using drones for monitoring. Controlled flume experiments were conducted to evaluate the roles of vegetation density and release position on the movement and retention of plastic debris. Aerial imagery (captured by a DJI Mini 3 drone) was analyzed to determine transport patterns, revealing that plastics released in central flow zones moved faster with lower retention, while those near densely vegetated riparian areas experienced slower transport and higher trapping rates.
The findings demonstrate drones’ effectiveness in monitoring plastic pollution, providing a practical alternative to traditional methods in areas difficult to access. These insights emphasize the critical role of riparian vegetation in influencing plastic movement and retention, offering opportunities to design interventions that target pollution hotspots [1,2]. The study highlights the promise of drone-based approaches in advancing our understanding of plastic transport processes and informs strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of plastic waste. Future research could enhance these findings by integrating drone data with other monitoring systems and refining analytical techniques for natural environments.

References
[1] van Emmerik T, Roebroek CTJ, de Wit W, Krooshof E, van Zoelen C, Fujita Y, Bruinsma J, Treilles R, Kieu-Le TC, Elshafie A, Christensen ND, Biermann L, Hees J, Meijer LJJ (2023) Seasonal dynamics of riverine macroplastic pollution, Nature Water, 1, 51-58
 
[2] Valyrakis M, Gilja G, Liu D, Latessa G (2024) Transport of Floating Plastics through the Fluvial Vector: The Impact of Riparian Zones, Water, 16, 1098