PLAST-MESS

Assessing macro-plastic pollution along a tidal-strait shoreline using innovative techniques

Rationale

Although plastic pollution is one of the most important environmental issues nowadays, there is still a knowledge gap in terms of understanding spatial distribution, transport and depositional mechanisms of plastic particles in the environment. This project aims at using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), more colloquially known as drones, and Deep Learning (DL) to obtain a fast, semi-automated workflow to investigate the role of tidal currents and other factors (e.g., river floods, human activities) in redistributing plastic in the environment, and particularly, along the shoreline of the Messina Strait (Sicily, southern Italy).

Project duration

2023 - 2026

Funding

Focus Project of the Central Research Development Fund (CRDF), University of Bremen

PhD student

Jun Oh

Research question

Is plastic pollution in the environment controlled by tidal current dispersals?

Satellite image of the Messina Strait (© NASA) showing a southward-directed transport generated by tidal current dynamics in the strait (left). Stranded plastics along the shore (right).

Leading group

Partners