Work

Design and Validation of an Eco-Compatible Autonomous Drone for Microplastic Monitoring in Port Environments

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Marine microplastic pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental issue, with significant implications for aquatic ecosystems, human health and global biodiversity. Ports, acting as semi-enclosed environments, are critical zones where plastic waste, including microplastics, plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm, tend to accumulate. These settings provide controlled conditions that are ideal for deploying innovative solutions to monitor and mitigate the impact of microplastic pollution. This paper presents the design, development and initial testing of an autonomous surface drone engineered specifically to monitor and collect microplastics in port environments. Unlike traditional marine drones, this device operates exclusively at the water surface, leveraging mechanical filtration systems to capture and quantify microplastic fragments. Designed for cost-efficiency, ease of manufacturing and operational simplicity, this drone aligns with principles of environmental sustainability and scalability. By integrating readily available materials and modular components, it offers a replicable model for addressing microplastic pollution in localized aquatic systems.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17062696

Authors: Daniela Francia, Giulio Galiè, Curzio Pagliari

Institution: University of Bologna

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation, Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896