EO Marine Litter Detection Feasibility Study
Project Partners
Project Description
Macro-plastics such as water bottles, packaging and plastic bags pose a significant threat to marine organisms and ecosystems. The millions of tonnes of plastic ending up in the oceans every year are a global challenge. ARGANS lead an ESA funded feasibility project looking at the detection of seaborne marine plastic litter from space, potentially charting its highest concentrations, by identifying a distinct SWIR spectral signature of plastic picked up from orbit. Infrared wavelengths are used in recycling plants to identify plastics, satellite images enhanced in similar wavelengths were checked against marine sites having high macro-plastic load and in situ test sites.
